{
  "abstract": "Our main claim is that Bohr adopted a principle-theoretic approach to quantum mechanics in order to reconcile two principles: the distinction principle, which asserts the necessity of a clear epistemic distinction between a classical apparatus and a quantum system, and the non-separability principle, which asserts that the two systems are ontologically non-separable in any measurement process. The latter principle is a consequence of Bohr's argument that, during a measurement interaction, the quantum system and the measurement apparatus form a 'new kind of individuality'. To support our argument, we first demonstrate the overlooked fact that, according to Bohr, the measurement interaction is a physical, irreversible process and not merely an epistemic acquisition of new information. In this respect, quantum mechanics must be regarded not only as a universal theory, but also as revealing no non-arbitrary difference between a quantum realm and a classical realm; the distinction is purely pragmatic. The tension between the epistemic necessity to rely on a neatly distinguishable classical realm and the ontic non-separability of the quantum system and the classical apparatus inclined Bohr to refuse to provide a constructive account of the measurement process, such as that later proposed, for instance, by spontaneous dynamical reduction models.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [],
  "article_type": null,
  "arxiv": "2609.04297",
  "author_total": 2,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "Mauro Dorato"
    },
    {
      "name": "Jan Faye"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/9mp1jy90vjhtx.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.48550/arxiv.2609.04297",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "9mp1jy90vjhtx",
  "issns": [],
  "landing_url": "https://arxiv.org/abs/2609.04297",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": "CC0-1.0",
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "arxiv",
      "physics.hist-ph"
    ],
    [
      "arxiv",
      "quant-ph"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "3107|Quantum Mechanics and Applications"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7211907671",
  "pdf_url": "https://arxiv.org/pdf/2609.04297",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-09-03",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/9mp1jy90vjhtx.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:19:14Z",
      "native_id": "2609.04297",
      "source": "arxiv",
      "url": "https://arxiv.org/abs/2609.04297"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "physics",
      "origin": "arxiv:quant-ph",
      "subfield": "quantum"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Niels Bohr as a Physicist of Principle",
  "title_text": "Niels Bohr as a Physicist of Principle",
  "type": "preprint",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:19:14Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/9mp1jy90vjhtx",
  "venue": "arXiv",
  "versions": []
}