Counterfactuals in Quantum Mechanics

Vaidman, Lev

doi:10.1007/978-3-540-70626-7_40

Cited by 13 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 32 publications

(30 reference statements)

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“…In the classical theory there are no interference patterns produced by individual particles, so there is no need to consider additional worlds that interfere with each other. Other experimental paradigms where a many-worlds interpretation yields a straightforward and transparent explanation is neutron interference (Vaidman, 1998), quantum computation (Deutsch, 2012) and counterfactual measurement (Elitzur & Vaidman, 1993;Vaidman, 1994Vaidman, , 2009. After all, the most important reason to favor a many-worlds interpretation is not simply to satisfy a somewhat romantic attitude but rather to better understand quantum phenomena and to avoid serious conceptual difficulties.…”

Section: Logical Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

Quantum mechanics as a deterministic theory of a continuum of worlds

Boström

2015

Quantum Stud.: Math. Found.

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A non-relativistic quantum mechanical theory is proposed that describes the universe as a continuum of worlds whose mutual interference gives rise to quantum phenomena. A logical framework is introduced to properly deal with propositions about objects in a multiplicity of worlds. In this logical framework, the continuum of worlds is treated in analogy to the continuum of time points, both "time" and "world" are considered as mutually independent modes of existence. The theory combines elements of Bohmian mechanics and of Everett's many-worlds interpretation, it has a clear ontology and a set of precisely defined postulates from where the predictions of standard quantum mechanics can be derived. Probability as given by the Born rule emerges as a consequence of insufficient knowledge of observers about which world it is that they live in. The theory describes a continuum of worlds rather than a single world or a discrete set of worlds, so it is similar in spirit to many-worlds interpretations based on Everett's approach, without being actually reducible to these. In particular, there is no splitting of worlds, which is a typical feature of Everett-type theories. Altogether, the theory explains (1) the subjective occurrence of probabilities, (2) their quantitative value as given by the Born rule, and (3) the apparently random "collapse of the wavefunction" caused by the measurement, while still being an objectively deterministic theory.Comment: fourth and final revision, this paper is a thoroughly reworked and enhanced formulation of ideas originally published in 2012 as a preprint in arXiv1208.5632, it has been published as a regular article in 2015 in Quantum Studies: Mathematics and Foundation

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Section: Logical Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

Quantum mechanics as a deterministic theory of a continuum of worlds

Boström

2015

Quantum Stud.: Math. Found.

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“…[24] Sometimes they or other protagonist of the weak-measurement + post-selection procedure even state that there are experimental support for ascribing such an 'ordinary' meaning to the weak value [2,[25][26][27][28].…”

Section: Interpreting a Weak Value-some General Remarksmentioning

confidence: 99%

What Is a Quantum-Mechanical “Weak Value” the Value of?

Svensson

2013

Found Phys

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A so called "weak value" of an observable in quantum mechanics (QM) may be obtained in a weak measurement + post-selection procedure on the QM system under study. Applied to number operators, it has been invoked in revisiting some QM paradoxes (e.g., the so called Three-Box Paradox and Hardy's Paradox). This requires the weak value to be interpreted as a bona fide property of the system considered, a par with entities like operator mean values and eigenvalues. I question such an interpretation; it has no support in the basic axioms of quantum mechanics and it leads to unreasonable results in concrete situations.

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“…". The Kochen-Specker theorem and Specker's discussion of counterfactuals in 1960 placing them in the context of medieval scholastic philosophy were the starting point of a heated debate on the use of counterfactuals in quantum mechanics (for recent reviews see [60,58]). Peres formulated perhaps clearest statements about the post-Bell-theorem status of counterfactuals:…”

Section: Counterfactualsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Which Fine-Tuning Arguments Are Fine?

Grinbaum

2012

Found Phys

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The argument from naturalness is widely employed in contemporary quantum field theory. Essentially a formalized aesthetic criterion, it received a meaning in the debate on the Higgs mechanism, which goes beyond aesthetics. We follow the history of technical definitions of fine tuning at the scale of electroweak symmetry breaking. It is argued that they give rise to a special interpretation of probability, which we call Gedankenfrequency. By extension of its original meaning, the argument from naturalness is used to compare different models beyond the Standard Model. We show that in this case naturalness cannot be defined objectively. Rather, it functions as socio-historical heuristics in particle physics and it contributes to the advent of a probabilistic version of Popper's falsificationism.

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Counterfactuals in Quantum Mechanics

Abstract: Counterfactuals in quantum mechanics appear in discussions of a) nonlocality, b) pre-and post-selected systems, and c) interaction-free measurements. Only the first two issues are related to counterfactuals as they are considered in the general philosophical literature:

Cited by 13 publications

References 32 publications

Quantum mechanics as a deterministic theory of a continuum of worlds

Quantum mechanics as a deterministic theory of a continuum of worlds

What Is a Quantum-Mechanical “Weak Value” the Value of?

Which Fine-Tuning Arguments Are Fine?

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