>So you think an electron IS a mathematical expression, not that a mathematical expression describes its behavior?
No, I think that a mathematical expression describes the behavior of something real as close as possible to our knowledge -- it's not just a picture of how it looks.
In other words, in contrast with the map analogy, the equations for electrons etc can be used for a simulation.
>Suppose we develop a unified theory in physics which supersedes current formulations of quantum theory. Then would the old quantum theory still BE the territory at that point? Or would it be just a less accurate description than the new one we came up with?
Why assume one can describe the territory in just a single (perfect) level of representation? For some things not even the full precision we can muster today is even needed (e.g. I don't need Relativity to know where a baseball will land).
No, I think that a mathematical expression describes the behavior of something real as close as possible to our knowledge -- it's not just a picture of how it looks.
In other words, in contrast with the map analogy, the equations for electrons etc can be used for a simulation.
>Suppose we develop a unified theory in physics which supersedes current formulations of quantum theory. Then would the old quantum theory still BE the territory at that point? Or would it be just a less accurate description than the new one we came up with?
Why assume one can describe the territory in just a single (perfect) level of representation? For some things not even the full precision we can muster today is even needed (e.g. I don't need Relativity to know where a baseball will land).