Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-dsjbd Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-25T08:26:38.643Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Reconstructing Instead of Interpreting Quantum Theory

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2022

Abstract

A paradigmatic shift in the foundations of quantum mechanics is recorded, from interpreting to reconstructing quantum theory. Examples of reconstruction are analyzed, and conceptual foundations of the information-theoretic reconstruction developed. A concept of intentionally incomplete reconstruction is introduced to mark the novel content of research in the foundation of quantum theory.

Type
Philosophy of Physics
Copyright
Copyright © The Philosophy of Science Association

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Footnotes

Many thanks to Lucien Hardy, Jeff Bub and Bill Demopoulos for their comments. This research was supported through the ANR grant ANR-06-BLAN-0348-01. Part of this research was held at the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics. Research at Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics is supported in part by the Government of Canada through NSERC and by the Province of Ontario through MRI.

References

Aaronson, S. (2004), “Is Quantum Mechanics An Island In Theoryspace?”, in Khrennikov, A. (ed.), Proceedings of the Växjö Conference “Quantum Theory: Reconsideration of Foundations”. Växjö: Växjö University Press, 1528.Google Scholar
Aaronson, S. (2005), “Quantum Computing, Postselection, and Probabilistic Polynomial-Time”, Quantum Computing, Postselection, and Probabilistic Polynomial-Time A461:3473–82.Google Scholar
Barrett, J. (2005), “Information Processing in Non-signaling Theories”, manuscript. arXiv:quant-ph/0508211v3.Google Scholar
Beltrametti, E. G., and Cassinelli, G. (1981), The Logic of Quantum Mechanics. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley.Google Scholar
Bialynicki-Birula, I., and Mycielski, J. (1976), “Nonlinear Wave Mechanics”, Nonlinear Wave Mechanics 100:6293.Google Scholar
Born, M. (1971), The Born-Einstein Letters. London: Walker.Google Scholar
Bub, J. (2004), “Why the Quantum?”, Why the Quantum? 35:241–66.Google Scholar
Carnap, R. (1928), Der Logische Aufbau der Welt. Berlin: Weltkreis.Google Scholar
Clifton, R., Bub, J., and Halvorson, H. (2003), “Characterizing Quantum Theory in Terms of Information-Theoretic Constraints”, Characterizing Quantum Theory in Terms of Information-Theoretic Constraints 33:1561–91.Google Scholar
Demopoulos, W. (2004), “Elementary Propositions and Essentially Incomplete Knowledge: A Framework for the Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics”, Elementary Propositions and Essentially Incomplete Knowledge: A Framework for the Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics 38:86109.Google Scholar
Einstein, A. (1954), Ideas and Opinions. New York: Bonanza Book.Google Scholar
Einstein, A. (1969) “Autobiographical Notes”, in Schlipp, P. A. (ed.), Albert Einstein: Philosopher-Scientist. LaSalle, IL: Open Court, 194.Google Scholar
Fock, V. (1955), The Theory of Space, Time and Gravitation. Moscow: Gostekhizdat.Google Scholar
Fock, V. (1971a), “The Principle of Relativity with Respect to Observation in Modern Physics”, The Principle of Relativity with Respect to Observation in Modern Physics 4:812.Google Scholar
Fock, V. (1971b), “Quantum Physics and Philosophical Problems”, Quantum Physics and Philosophical Problems 1:293306.Google Scholar
Fock, V. (1976), Nachala Kvantovoi Mehaniki. Moscow: Nauka.Google Scholar
Gisin, N. (1990), “Weinberg’s Non-linear Quantum Mechanics and Superluminal Communication”, Weinberg’s Non-linear Quantum Mechanics and Superluminal Communication 143:12.Google Scholar
Grinbaum, A. (2003), “Elements of Information-Theoretic Derivation of the Formalism of Quantum Theory”, Elements of Information-Theoretic Derivation of the Formalism of Quantum Theory 1:289300.Google Scholar
Grinbaum, A. (2005), “Information-Theoretic Principle Entails Orthomodularity of a Lattice”, Information-Theoretic Principle Entails Orthomodularity of a Lattice 18:573–92.Google Scholar
Grinbaum, A. (2007), “Reconstruction of Quantum Theory. British Journal for the Philosophy of Science 58:387408CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hardy, L. (1999), “Disentangling Nonlocality and Teleportation”, manuscript. arXiv:quant-ph/9906123.Google Scholar
Hardy, L. (2001), “Quantum Theory from Five Reasonable Axioms”, manuscript. arXiv:quant-ph/0101012v4.Google Scholar
Jauch, J. M. (1968), Foundations of Quantum Mechanics. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley.Google Scholar
Landauer, R. (1987), “Computation: A Fundamental Physical View”, Computation: A Fundamental Physical View 35:8895Google Scholar
Mackey, G. W. (1957), “Quantum Mechanics and Hilbert Space”, Quantum Mechanics and Hilbert Space 64:4557.Google Scholar
Mackey, G. W. (1963), Mathematical Foundations of Quantum Mechanics. New York: Benjamin.Google Scholar
Mermin, N. D. (2004), “Could Feynman Have Said This?”, Could Feynman Have Said This? 57(5): 10.Google Scholar
Nattermann, P. (1997), “On (Non)Linear Quantum Mechanics”, in Shkil, M., Nikitin, A., and Boyko, V. (eds.), Symmetry in Nonlinear Mathematical Physics, Vol. 2. Kiev: National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 270278.Google Scholar
Petersen, A. (1963), “The Philosophy of Niels Bohr”, The Philosophy of Niels Bohr 19 (5): 814..Google Scholar
Piron, C. (1964), “Axiomatique Quantique”, Axiomatique Quantique 36:439–68.Google Scholar
Piron, C.. (1972), “Survey of General Quantum Physics”, Survey of General Quantum Physics 2:287314.Google Scholar
Popescu, S., and Rohrlich, D. (1994), “Nonlocality as an Axiom”, Nonlocality as an Axiom 24:379–85.Google Scholar
Rovelli, C. (1996), “Relational Quantum Mechanics”, Relational Quantum Mechanics 35:1637–78.Google Scholar
Smolin, J. (2005), “Can Quantum Cryptography Imply Quantum Mechanics?”, Can Quantum Cryptography Imply Quantum Mechanics? 5:161–69.Google Scholar
Spekkens, R. (2004). “In Defense of the Epistemic View of Quantum States: A Toy Theory”, manuscript. arXiv:quant-ph/0401052v1.Google Scholar
Svetlichny, G. (2004), “Nonlinear Quantum Mechanics, manuscript. arxiv:quant-ph/0410036.Google Scholar
von Neumann, J. (1932), Mathematische Gründlagen der Quantenmechanik, Berlin: Springer.Google Scholar
Weinberg, S. (1989), “Precision Tests of Quantum Mechanics”, Precision Tests of Quantum Mechanics 62:485–88.Google ScholarPubMed