Quantum probabilities and the conjunction principle

I.E.J. Douven, J.B.M. Uffink

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

    Abstract

    A recent argument by Hawthorne and Lasonen-Aarnio purports to show that we can uphold the principle that competently forming conjunctions is a knowledge-preserving operation only at the cost of a rampant skepticism about the future. A key premise of their argument is that, in light of quantum-mechanical considerations, future contingents never quite have chance 1 of being true. We argue, by drawing attention to the order of magnitude of the relevant quantum probabilities, that the skeptical threat of Hawthorne and Lasonen-Aarnio’s argument is illusory.
    Original languageUndefined/Unknown
    Number of pages6
    JournalSynthese
    Volumein press
    Publication statusPublished - 2009

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