A Classical Ontology for Quantum Mechanics

This article examines the apparent tension between quantum entanglement correlations and the relativistic notion of locality, proposing an interpretation grounded in an Aristotelian ontology that avoids the usual conceptual conflicts between relativity and quantum theory. After reviewing Bell’s theorem and deriving Shimony’s distinctions of Parameter Independence and Outcome Independence, the article analyzes several difficulties faced by standard non-Aristotelian interpretations. It then explains how resources from Scholastic metaphysics can address these issues. Finally, it develops an original interpretation of entanglement and formalizes wavefunction collapse dynamics by introducing operators motivated by Aristotelian ontology into the quantum formalism. The result is an interpretation of quantum phenomena with a Neo-Aristotelian core capable of reconciling entanglement with relativistic constraints.