An argument against the realistic interpretation of the wave function
Quantum Physics
2016-07-20 v2 General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology
History and Philosophy of Physics
Abstract
Testable predictions of quantum mechanics are invariant under time reversal. But the change of the quantum state in time is not so, neither in the collapse nor in the no-collapse interpretations of the theory. This fact challenges the realistic interpretation of the quantum state. On the other hand, this fact follows easily if we interpret the quantum state as a mere calculation device, bookkeeping past real quantum events. The same conclusion follows from the analysis of the meaning of the wave function in the semiclassical regime.
Cite
@article{arxiv.1508.05533,
title = {An argument against the realistic interpretation of the wave function},
author = {Carlo Rovelli},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1508.05533},
year = {2016}
}
Comments
4 pages, 3 figures