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arXiv:2109.03186

On Relationalist Reconstructions of Quantum Theory

Blake C. Stacey

Published Sep 7, 2021• 1 citation
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Why I'm not happy with how Relational Quantum Mechanics has addressed the reconstruction of quantum theory, and why you shouldn't be either.
DOI
10.48550/arxiv.2109.03186

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In this dissertation, I propose two frameworks to address some important scientific and philosophical issues with quantum theory (QT). First, I propose Environmental Determinacy-based Quantum Theory (EnDQT) and argue that contrary to the other well-known quantum theories, it has the great benefit of being a local, non-relational, and non-superdeterministic/non-retrocausal "interpretation" of quantum theory, or quantum theory (QT). EnDQT has the benefit of being conservative, not modifying the fundamental equations of QT, and, in principle, allowing arbitrary systems to be placed in a coherent superposition for an arbitrary amount of time. Also, EnDQT is able to give a local causal explanation of quantum correlations. Via EnDQT, I also argue that i) QT is local in the sense of not being in conflict with relativity but without the need to adopt a relationalist, a superdeterminist, or a retrocausal approach. I also argue that ii) the notorious measurement problem can be addressed without modifying the quantum formalism, adding hidden variables, or adopting relationalism. Second, I propose Generative Quantum Theory (GQT) as a new ontology for quantum theories and show how it can be implemented via GRW, the MWI and single-world relationalist views, Bohmian Mechanics, hybrid classical-quantum theories, and EnDQT. I also distinguish it from the most discussed ontologies for quantum theories, namely, wavefunction realism and primitive ontology, and argue that it has certain benefits that they lack without some of their costs, such as non-locality. Due to the overall benefits of GQT compared with these widely debated ontological frameworks, and given that GQT, contrary to these frameworks, considers the wavefunction more like a predictor and that quantum indeterminacy plays an important explanatory role, I will argue that iii) the wavefunction is more like a predictor for different possibilities rather than a law or a field in a multidimensional space, and that iv) quantum indeterminacy plays a key explanatory role instead of a derivative role in order to understand QT.
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