Could wavefunctions simultaneously represent knowledge and reality?

Author:

Hance Jonte R.ORCID,Rarity John,Ladyman James

Abstract

AbstractIn discussion of the interpretation of quantum mechanics the terms ‘ontic’ and ‘epistemic’ are often used in the sense of pertaining to what exists, and pertaining to cognition or knowledge respectively. The terms are also often associated with the formal definitions given by Harrigan and Spekkens for the wavefunction in quantum mechanics to be $$\psi $$ ψ -ontic or $$\psi $$ ψ -epistemic in the context of the ontological models framework. The formal definitions are contradictories, so that the wavefunction can be either $$\psi $$ ψ -epistemic or $$\psi $$ ψ -ontic but not both. However, we argue, nothing about the informal ideas of epistemic and ontic interpretations rules out wavefunctions representing both reality and knowledge. The implications of the Pusey–Barrett–Rudolph theorem and many other issues may be rethought in the light of our analysis.

Funder

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

Publisher

Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Subject

Mathematical Physics,Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics

Cited by 4 articles. 订阅此论文施引文献 订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献

1. On the Reality of the Quantum State Once Again: A No-Go Theorem for $$\psi$$-Ontic Models;Foundations of Physics;2024-01-11

2. States vs. Changes of States: A Reformulation of the Ontic vs. Epistemic Distinction in Quantum Mechanics;Foundations of Physics;2022-12-30

3. What does it take to solve the measurement problem?;Journal of Physics Communications;2022-10-01

4. The wave function as a true ensemble;Proceedings of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences;2022-06

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