The American Philosophical Society (APS) awarded Alyssa Ney the Patrick Suppes Prize in Philosophy of Science for The World in the Wave Function: A Metaphysics for Quantum Physics. It is the world’s largest book prize in philosophy, according to the APS.
Ney’s book makes a case for wave function realism, the idea that the most fundamental description of the universe is given by the quantum wave function. She spells out what that commitment buys you in physics and in metaphysics. “The wave function is not a mere quantum hypothesis, it’s the stuff of the universe.” (APS release). For publishing details, see the OUP page or purchase a copy via our affiliate link on Bookshop (FQxI will receive a small donation if you purchase via this link, but her book is available elsewhere).
Ney is part of the FQxI community. She is an FQxI member and won Second Prize in our 2018 essay competition “What Is ‘Fundamental’?” for "The Politics of Fundamentality" and spoke at our 2019 meeting on "Two Physicalisms" (essay winners; QSpace video). You can still enter FQxI’s latest competition “How Quantum is Life?” The extended deadline is now October 29, 2025 (enter here).
Ney will also give a public talk with the APS, "The Metaphysics of Quantum Mechanics: From Spooky Action at a Distance to Higher Dimensions to Many Worlds," on November 6, 2025 (event details).
“It is a great honor to receive the Patrick Suppes Prize. Thank you to the APS Membership,” Ney said. Read the announcement in the APS press room (APS release).