Invariant Set Theory and the Symbolism of Quantum Measurement

Elements of a novel theory of quantum physics are developed, synthesising the role of symbolism in describing quantum measurement and in the topological representation of fractal invariant sets in nonlinear dynamical systems theory. In this synthesis, the universe $U$ is treated as an isolated deterministic dynamical system evolving precisely on a measure-zero fractal invariant subset $I_U$ of its state space. A non-classical approach to the physics of $U$ is developed by treating the geometry of $I_U$ as more primitive than dynamical evolution equations on $I_U$. A specific symbolic representation of $I_U$ is constructed which encodes quaternionic multiplication and from which the statistical properties of complex Hilbert Space vectors are emergent. The Hilbert Space itself arises as the singular limit of Invariant Set Theory as a fractal parameter $N \rightarrow \infty$. Although the Hilbert Space of quantum theory is counterfactually complete, the measure-zero set $I_U$ is counterfactually incomplete, no matter how large is $N$. Such incompleteness allows reinterpretations of familiar quantum phenomena, consistent with realism and local causality. The non-computable nature of $I_U$ ensures that these reinterpretations are neither conspiratorial nor retrocausal and, through a homeomorphism with the ring of $2^N$-adic integers, are robust to noise and hence not fine tuned. The non-commutativity of Hilbert Space observables emerges from the symbolic representation of $I_U$ through the generic number-theoretic incommensurateness of $\phi/\pi$ and $\cos \phi$. Invariant Set Theory implies a much stronger synergy between cosmology and quantum physics than exists in contemporary theory, suggesting a novel approach to synthesising gravitational and quantum physics and providing new perspectives on the dark universe and information loss in black holes.