Tomasz Bigaj
My recent research includes counterfactual analysis of non-locality in quantum mechanics
and dispositional account of quantum properties. I am also interested in the problem of
identity and individuality in quantum mechanics and other physical theories. Currently I am
teaching an introductory course in metaphysics and an upper-level and graduate seminar in
philosophy of physics, as well as an on-line course in philosophy of science. I am also
finishing a short book Metaphysics. A Guided Tour for Beginners.
Biography
M.Sc. in experimental physics from Warsaw University, Poland (1987)
M.A. in philosophy from Warsaw University, Poland (1991)
Ph.D. in philosophy from Warsaw University, Poland (1996)
1994 – visiting graduate student, King’s College, University of London
1998/1999 – exchange visitor, Kent State University, Kent OH
2001/2002 – Fulbright Visiting Fellow, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI
2008/2009 - Marie Curie Visiting Fellow, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
Past and present teaching positions: Warsaw University, Poland; Rowan University,
Glassboro, NJ; University of Illinois at Springfield, IL.
Courses taught: metaphysics, epistemology, logic, philosophy of science, philosophy of
mind, history of ancient and modern philosophy, philosophy of physics, philosophy of
quantum mechanics
Research interests
Past and present research topics: the relationship between mathematics and empirical science,
the Indispensability Argument for realism in mathematics, philosophical foundations of
three-valued logic, counterfactual analysis of non-locality in quantum mechanics,
counterfactual theories of causality, logic of counterfactual conditionals, the notion of
temporal becoming, persistence in time, dispositions in quantum mechanics, identity and
indiscernibility in quantum mechanics
Publications
Books
Non-locality and Possible Worlds. A Counterfactual Perspective on Quantum Entanglement,
Ontos Verlag, Frankfurt—Lancaster—New Brunswick 2006
Kwanty, liczby i abstrakty. Eseje popularne z filozofii nauki [Quanta, Numbers, and
Abstracts. Popular Essays in the Philosophy of Science], Semper, Warsaw 2002
Matematyka a swiat realny [Mathematics and the Real World], WFiS, Warsaw 1997
Selected Articles
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“Ungrounded dispositions in quantum mechanics”, forthcoming in Foundations of
Science (published on-line, DOI: 10.1007/s10699-011-9232-0)
“Counterfactual semantics and quantum physics”, forthcoming, Semiotica.
“Causation without influence”, Erkenntnis, 2012 (76), pp. 1-22.
“Dispositional monism and the circularity objection”, Metaphysica, 2010 (11), pp. 3947
(with James Ladyman), “The Principle of the Identity of Indiscernibles and quantum
mechanics”, Philosophy of Science, 77, 2010, pp. 117-136
“How to (properly) strengthen Bell’s theorem using counterfactuals”, Studies in
History and Philosophy of Modern Physics, 41, 2010, pp. 58-66
‘On temporal becoming, relativity, and quantum mechanics’, in: D. Dieks (ed.)
Ontology of Spacetime II, Elsevier, Amsterdam 2008, pp. 229-244.
‘Counterfactuals and non-locality of quantum mechanics: the Bedford-Stapp version
of the GHZ theorem’, Foundations of Science 12, 2007, pp. 85-108
‘Do quantum-mechanical systems always possess definite properties dictated by their
states?’ in: J. Malinowski, A. Pietruszczak (eds.), Essays in Logic and Ontology,
Rodopi, Amsterdam – New York, 2006, pp. 375-394
‘Causes, conditions, and counterfactuals’, Axiomathes, 15, 2005, pp. 599-619.
‘Counterfactual locality and EPR arguments’, in: A. Brozek, J.J. Jadacki and W.
Strawinski (eds.), Logic, Methodology and Philosophy of Science at Warsaw
University, Semper, Warsaw 2005, pp. 149-159.
‘Counterfactuals and spatiotemporal events’, Synthese, 142, 1, 2004, pp. 1-20.
‘The indispensability argument – a new chance for empiricism in mathematics?’,
Foundations of Science 8, 2003, pp. 173-200.
‘Three-valued logic, indeterminacy and quantum mechanics’, Journal of
Philosophical Logic 30, 2001, pp. 97-119.
‘Joachim Metalmann – causality, determinism and science’ in: W. Krajewski (ed.),
Polish Philosophers of Science and Nature in the 20th Century, Rodopi, Amsterdam Atlanta 2001
‘Analyticity and existence in mathematics’, in J.J. Jadacki, W. Strawinski (eds.) In the
World of Signs, pp. 103-113, Rodopi, Amsterdam - Atlanta 1998
‘Uwagi o logice trójwartosciowej’ [‘Remarks on three-valued logic’], Filozofia Nauki
(Philosophy of Science), vol. 3 (1997), pp. 113-121
‘Jakosciowe teorie czasoprzestrzeni’ [‘Qualitative theories of space-time’], Filozofia
Nauki vol. 4(1995), pp. 33-52.
‘Z zagadnien semantyki nauk empirycznych’ [‘Issues in the semantics of empirical
sciences’], in: M. Omyla (ed.) Nauka i jezyk (Science and Language), pp. 55-67,
Wydawnictwo WFiS, Warsaw 1994
Link to my page on PhilPapers: http://philpapers.org/profile/5350