Quantum Ontology: Theory and Applications
A Special Issue of Entropy (ISSN 1099-4300) belonging to the section "Quantum Information".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2026 | Viewed by 1357
Editors
Interests: problem of the arrow of time; interpretation of quantum mechanics; nature of information; foundations of statistical mechanics; philosophy of chemistry
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: interpretation of quantum mechanics; quantum decoherence; classical limit of quantum mechanics; quantum information theory
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
What kinds of entities does quantum mechanics refer to? This question lies at the heart of quantum ontology and constitutes one of the most pressing issues in the contemporary foundations and philosophy of quantum mechanics. Since its formulation, quantum theory has challenged classical ontological assumptions, forcing us to reconsider fundamental notions such as individuality, separability, and the nature of physical properties.
Elucidating the ontology of quantum mechanics is a task deeply intertwined with the interpretation of the adopted theory. Accordingly, the ontological pictures proposed in the literature vary significantly. These include particles with definite positions in Bohmian approaches, the wave function conceived as a fundamental entity in a multidimensional configuration space, flash ontologies associated with spontaneous collapse theories, bundles of modal properties in modal interpretations, and structures in relational approaches, among others.
Research on quantum ontology also plays an important role beyond the foundations of physics, contributing to ongoing debates in the contemporary metaphysics of science and philosophy of technology. Given that quantum mechanics has been a theory of enormous relevance to physics throughout the 20th century and has once again taken center stage with the development of quantum technologies, such as quantum computers, renewed interest in its ontological commitments directly influences broader philosophical questions concerning the nature of objects, properties, and relations within a scientifically informed metaphysical framework.
More recently, these discussions have extended into applied contexts. Questions are arising concerning the ontology suggested by specific physical applications of quantum mechanics, such as systems described in terms of quasi-particles, relativistic quantum systems, and quantum field-theoretic models. Furthermore, there is growing interest in developing precise formal and metatheoretical frameworks capable of articulating coherent and well-defined quantum ontologies. These include approaches based on quantum logic, modal logic, and alternative mathematical frameworks such as quantum set theories.
The aim of this Special Issue is to promote interdisciplinary research addressing both theoretical and applied aspects of quantum ontology. We welcome contributions exploring formal, physical, and philosophical perspectives. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
- Ontological implications of different interpretations of quantum mechanics;
- The ontology of the quantum state and the wave function;
- Particles, fields, structures, and relations in quantum ontology;
- The ontological status of quantum entities such as particles, quasi-particles, and collective excitations;
- Ontology in relativistic quantum systems and quantum field theory;
- Identity, individuality, and indistinguishability in quantum systems;
- The nature of quantum properties, including dispositional and modal accounts;
- Superposition, entanglement, and non-separability from an ontological perspective;
- The measurement problem and its ontological implications;
- The emergence of classicality and the quantum-to-classical transition;
- The role of quantum ontology in the contemporary metaphysics of science;
- Structural, relational, and object-based approaches to quantum ontology;
- Ontology in applied contexts such as quantum chemistry and condensed matter physics;
- Ontological issues in quantum information and quantum technologies;
- Formal, logical, and mathematical frameworks for articulating quantum ontologies.
We invite researchers from physics, philosophy, and related disciplines to submit original research articles that advance our understanding of the ontology of quantum mechanics at both the theoretical and metatheoretical levels, as well as in the context of concrete physical applications broadly construed.
Prof. Dr. Olimpia Lombardi
Dr. Sebastian Fortin
Guest Editors
Dr. Matías Pasqualini
Guest Editor Assistant
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Entropy is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- quantum ontology
- quantum field-theoretic ontology
- formal and mathematical frameworks for quantum ontology
- ontological issues in quantum information theory
- applied quantum ontology
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