- Research Article
1
- 10.1016/0039-3681(78)90004-3
In defence of Copenhagenism
- Sep 01, 1978
- Studies in History and Philosophy of Science
- Yehudah Freundlich
In defence of Copenhagenism
Why has de Broglie's theory been rejected?
In defence of Copenhagenism
In defence of Copenhagenism
Mandelstam's interpretation of quantum mechanics in comparative perspective
In his 1939 Lectures, the prominent Soviet physicist L. I. Mandelstam proposed an interpretation of quantum mechanics that was understood in different ways. To assess Mandelstam's interpretation, we classify contemporary interpretations of quantum mechanics and compare his interpretation with others developed in the 1930s (the Copenhagen interpretation and the statistical interpretations proposed by K. R. Popper, H. Margenau, and E. C. Kemble). We conclude that Mandelstam's interpretation belongs to the family of minimal statistical interpretations and has much in common with interpretations developed by American physicists. Mandelstam's characteristic message was his theory of indirect measurement, which influenced his discussion of the “reduction of the wave packet” and the Einstein, Podolsky, and Rosen argument. This article also reconstructs what lay behind Mandelstam's interpretation of quantum mechanics. This was his operationalism, by virtue of which his interpretation resembled Kemble's, in which the statistical and Copenhagen views had been combined. Like Popper and Margenau, Mandelstam followed R. von Mises's empirical conception of probability. Mandelstam, like the other proponents of the statistical approach to quantum mechanics, was affected by the culture of macroscopic experimentation with its emphasis on statistical (collective) measurement.
Read moreA Phenomenological Reading of the Many-Worlds Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics
The articles provides a phenomenological reading of the Many-Worlds Interpretation (MWI) of quantum mechanics and its answer to the measurement problem, or the question of “why only one of a wave function’s probable values is observed when the system is measured.” Transcendental-phenomenological and hermeneutic-phenomenological approaches are employed. The project comprises four parts. Parts one and two review MWI and the standard (Copenhagen) interpretation of quantum mechanics. Part three reviews the phenomenologies. Part four deconstructs the hermeneutics of MWI. It agrees with the confidence the theory derives from its (1) unforgiving appropriation of the Schrödinger equation and (2) association of branching universes with the evolution of the wave function insofar as that understanding comes from the formalism itself. Part four also reveals the hermeneutical shortcomings of the standard interpretation.
Read moreQuantum cosmology: how to interpret and obtain results
We argue that the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics cannot be applied to quantum cosmology. Among the alternative interpretations, we choose to apply the Bohm-de Broglie interpretation of quantum mechanics to canonical quantum cosmology. For minisuperspace models, we show that there is no problem of time in this interpretation, and that quantum effects can avoid the initial singularity, create inflation and isotropize the Universe. For the general case, it is shown that, irrespective of any regularization or choice of factor ordering of the Wheeler-DeWitt equation, the unique relevant quantum effect which does not break spacetime is the change of its signature from lorentzian to euclidean. The other quantum effects are either trivial or break the four-geometry of spacetime. A Bohm-de Broglie picture of a quantum geometrodynamics is constructed, which allows the investigation of these latter structures.
Read moreAnti-Bell - Refutation of Bell's theorem
In general, Albert Einstein as one of "the founding fathers of quantum mechanics" had some problems to accept especially the Copenhagen dominated interpretation of quantum mechanics. Einstein's dissatisfaction with Copenhagen's interpretation of quantum mechanics, the absence of locality and causality within the Copenhagen dominated quantum mechanics lead to the well known Einstein, Podolsky and Rosen thought experiment. According to Einstein et al., the Copenhagen dominated quantum mechanics cannot be regarded as a complete physical theory. The Einstein, Podolsky and Rosen thought experiment was the origin of J. S. Bell's publication in 1964; known as Bell's theorem. Meanwhile, some dramatic violations of Bell's inequality (by so called Bell test experiments) have been reported which is taken as an empirical evidence against local realism and causality at quantum level and as positive evidence in favor of the Copenhagen dominated quantum mechanics. Thus far, Quantum mechanics is still regarded as a "strictly" non-local theory. The purpose of this publication is to refute Bell's original theorem. Thus far, if we accept Bell's theorem as correct, we must accept that +0> = +1. We can derive a logical contradiction out of Bell's theorem, Bell's theorem is refuted.
Read moreDecoherence of Correlation Histories
We use a λΦ 4 scalar quantum field theory to illustrate a new approach tothe study of quantum to classical transition. In this approach, the decoherencefunctional is employed to assign probabilities to consistent histories defined interms of correlations among the fields at separate points, rather than the fielditself. We present expressions for the quantum amplitudes associated with suchhistories, as well as for the decoherence functional between two of them. Thedynamics of an individual consistent history may be described by a Langevin-type equation, which we derive. Dedicated to Professor Brill on the occasion of his sixtieth birthday, August 1993 1. Introduction1.1. Interpretations of Quantum Mechanics and Paradigmsof Statistical Mechanics This paper attempts to bring together two basic concepts, one from the foundationsof statistical mechanics and the other from the foundations of quantum mechanics,for the purpose of addressing two basic issues in physics:1) the quantum to classical transition, and2) the quantum origin of stochastic dynamics.Both issues draw in the interlaced effects of dissipation, decoherence, noise, and fluc-tuation. A central concern is the role played by coarse-graining –the naturalness of itschoice, the effectiveness of its implementation and the relevance of its consequences.On the fundations of quantum mechanics, a number of alternative interpretationsexists, e.g., the Copenhagen interpretation, the many-world interpretation [1], theconsistent history interpretations [2], to name just a few (see [3] for a recent review).
Read moreEpistemological Problems of Quantum Mechanics Following Ernst Cassirer and Richard Hönigswald
This article deals with the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics and its epistemological discussion by Ernst Cassirer and Richard Hönigswald. The starting point is Cassirer's treatise Determinism and Indeterminism in Modern Physics, published in Stockholm. Both philosophers and several physicists were involved in the subsequent exchange of letters. From a physical point of view, the Copenhagen interpretation was particularly criticised by v. Laue and Einstein. Both demanded a revision of the foundations of quantum mechanics or a critical examination of essential physical concepts. The epistemological implications of the Copenhagen interpretation were rejected, in particular that the interactions between observation, the observed and the observer in quantum physics experiments should lead to a renunciation of the concept of causality or an objectively unambiguous description of natural processes. Cassirer argues here that quantum mechanics fulfils the epistemological requirement of transforming ontological “concepts of things” into epistemological concepts of relations and is therefore compatible with the neo-critical approach he advocates. At the same time, Hönigswald was working on two major treatises on the structure of physics and the concept of causality. Here he undertakes an epistemological foundation of physics as a whole. A transcendental foundation of the concept of experience and its specifications in principles such as contemplation, observation or experiment appears to be called for. Hönigswald therefore essentially rejects the Copenhagen interpretation, as it draws epistemological consequences by physical means and thus inadmissibly reverses the transcendentally necessary relations of justification. These arguments are examined and could be used for a current discussion on the epistemological foundations of quantum mechanics and physics as a whole. A post-Neo-Kantian, transcendental philosophical foundation of scientific knowledge, especially of modern physics, seems possible and necessary.
Read more“Ist die Quantenphysik vollständig?”
This paper examines the three central theses of the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics. (1) Quantum mechanics must make use of concepts of classical physics; (2) descriptions which in classical physis are mutually exclusive are complementary descriptions of the same objects in quantum mechanics; (3) the uncertainty relations are natural laws which determine the limits of the application of classical concepts to micro-physical objects. Usually, these central theses of the Copenhagen interpretation are interpreted in a realistic-ontological manner. This paper criticizes this position, and, by means of a comparative investigation of the function of models in classical physics and quantum mechanics, proposes a model-theoretic interpretation. This interpretation lays special stress on the fictional status of models in quantum mechanics.
Read moreCopenhagen and transactional interpretations
The Copenhagen interpretation (CI) never received an authoritative codification. It was a “minimum semantics” of quantum mechanics. We assume that it expresses a theory identical with the Transactional Interpretation (TI) when the observer is included into the system described by the theory. A theory consists of a mathematical structure with a physical semantics. Now, CI rests on an implicit description of the modes of time which is also presupposed by the Second Law of Thermodynamics. Essential is the futuric meaning of probability as a prediction of a relative frequency. CI can be shown to be fully consistent on this basis. The TI and CI can be translated into each other by a simple “dictionary.” The TI describes all events as CI describes past events; CI calls future events possibilities, which TI treats like facts. All predictions of both interpretations agree; we suppose the difference to be linguistic.
Read moreResearch and Discussion of Quantum Theory
Quantum information technology mainly includes quantum communication, quantum radar, quantum computer these three aspects, in recent years, rapid development, many countries invested heavily in development. The awarding of the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2022 to three scientists for their work in quantum informatics has further stimulated people's interest in quantum theory, which has been studied and discussed. This paper not only reviews the historical situation, but also thinks and innovates in theory. The main contents of this paper are as follows: It is pointed out that there are fundamental contradictions between relativity and quantum mechanics; The wave function, quantum statistics and uncertainty principle are discussed in detail. The hidden variable theory is reviewed and the Bell inequality is discussed. The Aspect two-photon experiment was analyzed. The rationality of Bohm experiment scheme is discussed. The development of Bell type experiment is discussed. It is pointed out that the entangled state is not acting at a distance but propagating faster than the speed of light. Reviews the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics; Quantum communication and Wootters theorem are discussed. etc. This paper holds that quantum mechanics has been finalized from 1926 to 1928, and its basic content has not changed much. But for some of the accusations, it is necessary to answer them theoretically. For example, we believe that the Copenhagen interpretation fundamentally changes our understanding of nature and marks a profound revolution in physics. And no other theory has since emerged that has such a profound understanding and wide application of microscopic phenomena as this interpretation. Another example is Bohm's two-particle correlation spin scheme in quantum entanglement experiments, which has been proved to be effective in a series of experiments, which is an important contribution in Bohm's life. This paper holds that the so-called quantum field theory is a failure, and the original quantum mechanics should still be advocated today. Current theoretical research should pay great attention to quantum entangled states, because its nature is still unclear. Understanding this "first mystery of the physical world" not only has scientific significance, but also has great philosophical significance for understanding the universe.
Read moreNew experimental set-up for the detection of de Broglie waves
New experimental set-up for the detection of de Broglie waves
The quantum measurement effect of interaction without interaction for an atomic beam
The quantum measurement effect of interaction without interaction for an atomic beam
Multi-dimensional Cantor sets in classical and quantum mechanics
Multi-dimensional Cantor sets in classical and quantum mechanics
A Good Chance for the Cat’s Life: Erwin Schroedinger’s New Statistics and a Second Quantization Theory of Quantum
In his paper on the Cat’s uncertain situation between life and death, S. intended to criticize the Copenhagen interpretation of Quantum Mechanics and, conversely, to assert the consistency of his own wavelike view of the theory. His ideas contrasted with Heisenberg and Bohr’s positions, but also with Einstein’s attempt at a classically statistical interpretation of a quantum theory. His criticism therefore did not intend to discredit the whole Quantum Mechanics. In the fifties, he proposed a second quantization approach to a many particles state of the theory, which included his New Statistics. He asserted that the new approach modified some aspects of his famous 1926 equations. In my paper, I argue that S.’s new ideas in the fifties are related to his 1920 and 1926 contributions on rarified gas theory.
Read moreNonparadoxical loss of information in black hole evaporation in a quantum collapse model
We consider a novel approach to address the black hole information paradox. The idea is based on adapting, to the situation at hand, the modified versions of quantum theory involving spontaneous stochastic dynamical collapse of quantum states, which have been considered in attempts to deal with shortcomings of the standard Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics, in particular, the issue known as ``the measurement problem.'' The new basic hypothesis is that the modified quantum behavior is enhanced in the region of high curvature so that the information encoded in the initial quantum state of the matter fields is rapidly erased as the black hole singularity is approached. We show that in this manner the complete evaporation of the black hole via Hawking radiation can be understood as involving no paradox. Calculations are performed using a modified version of quantum theory known as ``continuous spontaneous localization'' (CSL), which was originally developed in the context of many-particle nonrelativistic quantum mechanics. We use a version of CSL tailored to quantum field theory and applied in the context of the two -dimensional Callan-Giddings-Harvey-Strominger model. Although the role of quantum gravity in this picture is restricted to the resolution of the singularity, related studies suggest that there might be further connections.
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