Quantum Fundamentalism vs. Scientific Realism

Quantum fundamentalism is the view that quantum mechanics (QM) should inform us about fundamental ontology. It is adopted by many who seek to defend scientific realism with respect to QM, and it prompts them to opt for one of the versions (or interpretations) of QM that were developed in response to the measurement problem. I argue that this is a mistake. Not only is realism about QM compatible with neutrality concerning these different versions, but the commitment to any particular one of them is actually in tension with basic tenets of scientific realism. This is demonstrated by a critical assessment of Michael Esfeld’s and Valia Allori’s recently developed versions of quantum fundamentalism.