The deep connection between entropy and information is discussed in terms of both classical and quantum physics. The mechanism of information transfer between systems via entanglement is explored in the context of decoherence theory. The concept of entropic time is then introduced on the basis of information acquisition, which is argued to be effectively irreversible and consistent with both the Second Law of Thermodynamics and our psychological perception of time. This is distinguished from the notion of parametric time, which serves as the temporal parameter for the unitary evolution of a physical state in non-relativistic quantum mechanics. The interpretation of these ideas in terms of both subjective and objective collapse models is also discussed. It is shown that energy is conserved under subjective collapse schemes whereas, in general, under objective collapse it is not. This is consistent with the fact that the latter is inherently non-unitary and that energy conservation arises out of time symmetry in the first place.
The deep connection between entropy and information is discussed in terms of both classical and quantum physics. The mechanism of information transfer between systems via entanglement is explored in the context of decoherence theory. The concept of entropic time is then introduced on the basis of information acquisition, which is argued to be effectively irreversible and consistent with both the Second Law of Thermodynamics and our psychological perception of time. This is distinguished from the notion of parametric time, which serves as the temporal parameter for the unitary evolution of a physical state in non-relativistic quantum mechanics. The interpretation of these ideas in terms of both subjective and objective collapse models is also discussed. It is shown that energy is conserved under subjective collapse schemes whereas, in general, under objective collapse it is not. This is consistent with the fact that the latter is inherently non-unitary and that energy conservation arises out of time symmetry in the first place.
Abstract This article presents a revised and conceptually refined formulation of a previously proposed Temporal Interpretation of quantum measurement, explicitly addressing the physical nature of wavefunction collapse. While the original proposal emphasised relativistic aspects of momentum superpositions, the present work clarifies the interpretation within the standard formalism of quantum mechanics, without introducing new dynamics or experimental predictions. Unitary evolution is read as a process of differentiated phase accumulation between branches of a quantum state. In relativistic contexts, phase differentials can be structurally related to effective proper-time differentials, allowing the introduction of a notion of temporal compatibility that provides a physically grounded account of decoherence. When such differentials exceed a characteristic scale, interference between branches becomes operationally inaccessible, while global unitarity is preserved. The observer is treated as a physical system endowed with an irreversible proper time associated with macroscopic, entropic dynamics. Within this framework, collapse is explained as an emergent physical phenomenon arising from the irreversibility of the observer’s proper time, which prevents the reconstruction of phase coherence after an interaction. Collapse is therefore neither a fundamental dynamical mechanism nor an objective event in space-time, but a necessary consequence of temporal irreversibility in physical observers. This formulation sharpens the distinction between decoherence and collapse, preserves full consistency with the Born rule, and positions the Temporal Interpretation as a competing interpretative framework that provides a concrete physical explanation for the quantum–classical transition, improving and clarifying the original proposal. This version clarifies the operational status of the interaction time, refines Sections 5.3 and 5.4, and standardises references and editorial structure. No changes to the formalism or conclusions.
The concept of time presents a profound challenge at the intersection of quantum mechanics and thermodynamics. While fundamental microscopic laws are largely time-symmetric, macroscopic phenomena universally exhibit a distinct thermodynamic arrow of time, characterized by increasing entropy. This paper explores the hypothesis that quantum entanglement plays a crucial role in the emergence of this thermodynamic arrow. We review how the entanglement between a quantum system and its environment leads to decoherence, effectively driving the system towards a state of higher entropy and classical-like behavior. By analyzing concepts such as von Neumann entropy, entanglement entropy, and the Page-Wootters mechanism, we propose a theoretical framework where the degradation and spreading of entanglement act as the underlying mechanism for the perceived unidirectional flow of time. This approach offers a potential resolution to the "problem of time" in quantum gravity and provides a unified perspective on the genesis of irreversibility from the inherently reversible laws of quantum mechanics. We discuss the implications of this entanglement-driven temporal emergence for our understanding of the universe's initial low-entropy state and the fundamental nature of reality.
This paper introduces the Entropic I-Field Theory, a fundamental framework that establishes irreversibility as a physical principle rather than an emergent property. We propose a universal scalar field—the I-field—that couples dissipatively to all matter and radiation. By breaking time-reversal symmetry at the fundamental level through an extended Euler-Lagrange-Rayleigh variational principle, the theory preserves causality and conservation laws while introducing intrinsic directionality to physical evolution.The framework replaces purely unitary quantum evolution with non-conservative dynamics in which the I-field coupling introduces dissipative terms into the equations of motion. Through numerical validation across quantum, chaotic, and thermodynamic systems, we demonstrate that the theory provides unified solutions to foundational paradoxes: the quantum measurement problem is resolved through objective I-field-mediated collapse, thermodynamic irreversibility arises from fundamental symmetry breaking rather than statistical coarse-graining, and the arrow of time emerges from field dynamics rather than initial conditions. The theory makes testable predictions accessible with current technology: temperatureindependent decoherence at ultralow temperatures, universal noise floors violatingfluctuation-dissipation relations, modified atomic energy levels proportional to I-field strength, and measurable time variation of fundamental constants. These predictionsdistinguish the framework from standard physics and provide experimental pathways for falsification. If confirmed, this would establish irreversibility as a fundamental interaction encoded in the Lagrangian rather than an emergent statistical phenomenon.
This work investigates the fundamental connection between quantum mechanics and thermodynamics through the concept of the arrow of time. While the second law of thermodynamics identifies the arrow of time with the monotonic increase of entropy in isolated systems, closed quantum systems evolve unitarily and conserve von Neumann entropy, making the origin of irreversibility less apparent. Here we establish a no-go theorem proving that correlations in unknown states of closed quantum systems cannot be universally removed by any physical operation. This result demonstrates that correlation generation is inherently irreversible, providing a microscopic and universal basis for the arrow of time. In thermodynamic settings, this irreversibility ensures that heat flows spontaneously from hotter to colder subsystems, reproducing the Clausius formulation of the second law. More generally, the irreversible growth of correlations explains entropy increase, the approach to equilibrium, and decoherence as observable manifestations of the same principle. Our findings ground a quantum-mechanical foundation for the second law of thermodynamics and demonstrate the universality of the arrow of time.
After stating the measurement problem, physicists usually assume the problem to be coming from the measurement part. Since classical probabilities also collapse when updating information, there is nothing special about quantum state collapse. I believe the problem comes from the unitary evolution part of quantum theory. The question we should be asking is not 'what happens during measurement?' but 'what is time?'. After discussing the problems with time evolution in quantum theory, we propose a new approach to interpret time and argue how it would emerge from the non-commutativity of quantum theory, assuming participatory realism. Its relation to the familiar mechanical or unitary notion of time is discussed. The subjectivity associated with the increasingly popular epistemic interpretations of quantum theory makes it look like it's a cure that's worse than the disease. We attempt to get objectivity back into quantum physics without resorting to the many worlds or other such interpretations.
The mind-body problem is reviewed in the context of a non-technical account of quantum information theory. The importance of clearly defining: `what is physical?' is highlighted, since only then can we give meaning to the concept `non-physical'. Physicality is defined in terms of interaction, which is in turn defined to be a correlated exchange of information. This is asserted to be the basis of any meaningful concept of epistemology. Hence, it is argued that a non-physical entity can not `know' anything about the world. Information transfer is then discussed in terms of quantum entanglement and an argument for our perception of time is presented. It is then contended that the notion of `mind' may be meaningfully discussed in the context of a quantum theoretic framework.