(December 30, 2022 at 1:42 am)GrandizerII Wrote:(December 29, 2022 at 5:09 pm)Jehanne Wrote: I think that the superposition principle from quantum mechanics casts doubt on the Aristotelian dialectic framework, or, to quote the philosopher John Locke,
Nah, it's a language matter, nothing more. The superpostion can be seen as comprising different instances of the "same" particle existing simultaneously at different positions, rather than the exact same particle existing at different positions at the same time.
Then again, I'm only addressing one of the two points make in Locke's quote, and possibly not understanding the point you're making here.
John Locke, all through his Essay, appeals to the Science of his day, praises Newton, etc., and argues, passionately (over and over, by his own admission), for Tabula rasa, a view that no cognitive scientist would hold to in our day. Still, Locke helped things keep moving (literally and figuratively) in the right direction.
Locke was wrong, as was Leibniz (as was Newton). Individual particles or systems of particles can exist in a superposition of states, and if we take Locke's words seriously, he was arguing against abstract ideas such as the Many Worlds interpretation of QM, while also arguing vehemently for the existence of God. Still, if he had lived in our day instead of his, he would have likely changed his mind, something that he also admitted to.
Locke was not a dogmatist; that's what made him great.
