Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

arXiv:2112.15222

Let the Mathematics of Quantum Speak: Allowed and Unallowed Logic

Eliahu Levy

Published Dec 30, 2021• 0 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Some notes about quantum physics, an interpretation if one wishes, are put forward, insisting on `closely following the mathematics/formalism, the `nuts and bolts of what quantum physics says'. These, basically well-known, issues seem to highlight some rather bold points about the `logic' aspect in quantum physics, necessarily restricting when and which logic may be admissible. And one may understand why that path is hardly followed in the literature. The mathematics/formalism of quantum, compared with classical, physics, may be fairly basically characterized by non-commutative algebras replacing commutative. These classically appearing, in fact, in dealing with systems of possibilities (say, all possible planetary motions under gravity of which one is the actual one). In particular, contrary to too common usage, the quantum non-commutativity should make it impossible to simply `transcend' the `system of possibilities' aspect into a `yes-no' logic essential for an `actual world'. One may have the latter only in a `haven' of approximately commutative algebras of `quasi-classical macroscopic observables', and moreover that `yes-no actual world' would plainly be an `extra ingredient' to the base quantum theory itself.

DOI
10.48550/arxiv.2112.15222

Related papers

Quantum Logic versus Alternative Approaches

Peter Mittelstaedt

In the present paper we will discuss the following problem: Is the external reality primarily a quantum world such that in macroscopic dimensions classical properties evolve by decoherence and emergency? -- Or is there only a classical, macroscopic world of apparatuses and observers, and what we can say about the quantum world is nothing but a consistent way of speaking which illustrates without any ontological commitments merely the formalism of quantum mechanics?

•Jul 5, 2007•1 citation

Is Quantum Logic a Logic?

Mladen Pavičić, Norman D. Megill

arXiv:0812.2698•Elsevier eBooks•Jan 1, 2009•21 citations

Hamilton–Jacobi theory

Peter Holland

The need for a common language If we wish to compare the methods, content, claims and experimental predictions of two physical theories we have to find some common ground between them. What is needed ideally is a language which embraces the essential elements of each theory as parts of a broader structure which transcends them both. There are two components to such a language, which might be called the formal and the informal. Briefly, by ‘formal’ we mean a precisely defined set of concepts and their relationships from which one can deduce unambiguous conclusions by a series of logical steps (mathematics); by ‘informal’ we mean the intuitive concepts and pictures that a theory employs in order to render intelligible the ‘reality’ for which it seeks to account. These two aspects are naturally closely connected. The possibility of constructing a language of this type is not given a priori . It may turn out that it is possible to develop only one of the two components, and the theories we want to compare may or may not be commensurable, or only partly so. We shall examine this question in connection with the relation between two physical theories of matter: classical mechanics and quantum mechanics. This relation is subtle and operates on several levels and we shall return to it throughout the book. For the present we confine ourselves to some general remarks. Roughly speaking, we may say that classical mechanics as a distinct discipline constitutes a language possessing both formal and informal aspects.

Cambridge University Press eBooks•May 13, 1993•0 citations

Three weird facts about quantum mechanics: What Bohr, Schrödinger, and Einstein actually said

Meghan Reynolds

The procedure used to "do physics" in the macroscopic world is familiar: You take an object, start it off with a particular position and velocity, subject it to known forces (say gravity or friction, or both), and follow its trajectory. You then measure the dynamical properties (say position or energy) of that object at a later time and compare those measurements with the prediction using Isaac Newton's laws of motion. Newton's laws directly predict what those quantities should be at that later time, so the comparison is straightforward. However, the microscopic laws of physics, quantum mechanics, aren't so simple. The quantum concepts are so alien and counterintuitive that the language used to describe the mathematics and physics is often ambiguous and confusing. Therefore, for you to \emph{really} understand what is going on, some mathematics must be used. This is my attempt to explain some "weird facts" using a minimum of mathematics, yet eliminating as much ambiguity as possible.

arXiv:1809.10725•Sep 27, 2018•0 citations

Quantum Logic and Meaning

Geoffrey Paul Hellman

In concluding their major survey, “Quantum Logics,” Greechie and Gudder (1975) listed four outstanding directions for future research, the last of which was, “Explain the meaning of the word ‘logic’ in the title of this paper.” Broadly speaking, there are two radically different points of view on this. There is the view that, taken strictly, ‘logic’ is a misnomer: quantum logic studies certain algebraic structures naturally arising from the formal, apparatus of quantum theory, structures which may afford insights into quantum physics, on a number of levels, but which do not in any way involve giving up or replacing classical logical laws. (Cf., e.g., Jauch (1968, p. 77).) In contrast, there is the view that the non-Boolean structures arising from the Hilbert space formalism should be taken as giving rise to a genuine non-classical logic, in conflict with classical logic, but appropriate to the description of quantum mechanical reality.

PSA Proceedings of the Biennial Meeting of the Philosophy of Science Association•Jan 1, 1980•19 citations

Nonseparability and Quantum Logic

Bernard d’Espagnat

This talk is about quantum logic, and before we engage in the subject proper let me say how much I appreciate the invitation to deliver it that was extended to me by the Japanese Society for the Philosophy of Science.In particular because I feel that such a meeting is really the place that is most adequate for the discussion of these matters.Let us introduce the subject by mentioning a few general points.First of all, logics deals with propositions.Hence we shall be concerned with propositions.But in fact our interest will be exclusively focused on what is-or what should be the simplest type of propositions: the propositions by means of which a physicist expresses what he knows about a physical system.A priori, our subject should then be very simple.Indeed the elementary books about logic tell us that the rules concerning these propositions can be formalized.That, for example, the propositions can be combined by means of two rules, corresponding to and and to or, and that the resulting structure is just that of a Boolean Algebra.We would expect this to hold for any system.However, as you know, a major difficulty already creeps in at this point when we want to deal with atomic systems.This is because a very simple word such as "and" may well have no obvious meaning in that case.And when we try to force a meaning to it was sometimes encounter quite unpleasant surprises, exemplified by the Heisenberg relations.Among the founders of quantum physics the reactions to such a fact were quite varied as is well known.Some of them sort of hoped that the difficulty just came from our using the wrong concepts.For example, it is quite obvious that if we try to describe as a particle something which is really a wave, we are heading for trouble and we are bound to formulate some meaningless propositions.However, this remark did not lead to a satisfactory solution in the end.Other physicists notably the Copenhagen group took a very different standpoint.Substantially, what they said boiled to this: since we cannot "see" the elementary particles, let us refrain from formulating directly propositions bearing on them.Ultimately, there fore, all their propositions bear on the instruments; or should be interpreted in terms of such propositions.This is -it turned out a very good recipe.Of course, propositions bearing on instruments are propositions of classical, macroscopic physcis.As such, they fall -57-

Annals of the Japan Association for Philosophy of Science•Jan 1, 1977•0 citations
Some notes about quantum physics, an interpretation if one wishes, are put forward, insisting on closely following the mathematics/formalism, the nuts and bolts of what quantum physics says'. These, basically well-known, issues seem to highlight some rather bold points about the logic' aspect in quantum physics, necessarily restricting when and which logic may be admissible. And one may understand why that path is hardly followed in the literature. The mathematics/formalism of quantum, compared with classical, physics, may be fairly basically characterized by non-commutative algebras replacing commutative. These classically appearing, in fact, in dealing with systems of possibilities (say, all possible planetary motions under gravity of which one is the actual one). In particular, contrary to too common usage, the quantum non-commutativity should make it impossible to simply transcend' the system of possibilities' aspect into a yes-no' logic essential for an actual world'. One may have the latter only in a haven' of approximately commutative algebras of quasi-classical macroscopic observables', and moreover that yes-no actual world' would plainly be an `extra ingredient' to the base quantum theory itself.
The need for a common language If we wish to compare the methods, content, claims and experimental predictions of two physical theories we have to find some common ground between them. What is needed ideally is a language which embraces the essential elements of each theory as parts of a broader structure which transcends them both. There are two components to such a language, which might be called the formal and the informal. Briefly, by ‘formal’ we mean a precisely defined set of concepts and their relationships from which one can deduce unambiguous conclusions by a series of logical steps (mathematics); by ‘informal’ we mean the intuitive concepts and pictures that a theory employs in order to render intelligible the ‘reality’ for which it seeks to account. These two aspects are naturally closely connected. The possibility of constructing a language of this type is not given a priori . It may turn out that it is possible to develop only one of the two components, and the theories we want to compare may or may not be commensurable, or only partly so. We shall examine this question in connection with the relation between two physical theories of matter: classical mechanics and quantum mechanics. This relation is subtle and operates on several levels and we shall return to it throughout the book. For the present we confine ourselves to some general remarks. Roughly speaking, we may say that classical mechanics as a distinct discipline constitutes a language possessing both formal and informal aspects.
The procedure used to "do physics" in the macroscopic world is familiar: You take an object, start it off with a particular position and velocity, subject it to known forces (say gravity or friction, or both), and follow its trajectory. You then measure the dynamical properties (say position or energy) of that object at a later time and compare those measurements with the prediction using Isaac Newton's laws of motion. Newton's laws directly predict what those quantities should be at that later time, so the comparison is straightforward. However, the microscopic laws of physics, quantum mechanics, aren't so simple. The quantum concepts are so alien and counterintuitive that the language used to describe the mathematics and physics is often ambiguous and confusing. Therefore, for you to \emph{really} understand what is going on, some mathematics must be used. This is my attempt to explain some "weird facts" using a minimum of mathematics, yet eliminating as much ambiguity as possible.
In concluding their major survey, “Quantum Logics,” Greechie and Gudder (1975) listed four outstanding directions for future research, the last of which was, “Explain the meaning of the word ‘logic’ in the title of this paper.” Broadly speaking, there are two radically different points of view on this. There is the view that, taken strictly, ‘logic’ is a misnomer: quantum logic studies certain algebraic structures naturally arising from the formal, apparatus of quantum theory, structures which may afford insights into quantum physics, on a number of levels, but which do not in any way involve giving up or replacing classical logical laws. (Cf., e.g., Jauch (1968, p. 77).) In contrast, there is the view that the non-Boolean structures arising from the Hilbert space formalism should be taken as giving rise to a genuine non-classical logic, in conflict with classical logic, but appropriate to the description of quantum mechanical reality.
This talk is about quantum logic, and before we engage in the subject proper let me say how much I appreciate the invitation to deliver it that was extended to me by the Japanese Society for the Philosophy of Science.In particular because I feel that such a meeting is really the place that is most adequate for the discussion of these matters.Let us introduce the subject by mentioning a few general points.First of all, logics deals with propositions.Hence we shall be concerned with propositions.But in fact our interest will be exclusively focused on what is-or what should be the simplest type of propositions: the propositions by means of which a physicist expresses what he knows about a physical system.A priori, our subject should then be very simple.Indeed the elementary books about logic tell us that the rules concerning these propositions can be formalized.That, for example, the propositions can be combined by means of two rules, corresponding to and and to or, and that the resulting structure is just that of a Boolean Algebra.We would expect this to hold for any system.However, as you know, a major difficulty already creeps in at this point when we want to deal with atomic systems.This is because a very simple word such as "and" may well have no obvious meaning in that case.And when we try to force a meaning to it was sometimes encounter quite unpleasant surprises, exemplified by the Heisenberg relations.Among the founders of quantum physics the reactions to such a fact were quite varied as is well known.Some of them sort of hoped that the difficulty just came from our using the wrong concepts.For example, it is quite obvious that if we try to describe as a particle something which is really a wave, we are heading for trouble and we are bound to formulate some meaningless propositions.However, this remark did not lead to a satisfactory solution in the end.Other physicists notably the Copenhagen group took a very different standpoint.Substantially, what they said boiled to this: since we cannot "see" the elementary particles, let us refrain from formulating directly propositions bearing on them.Ultimately, there fore, all their propositions bear on the instruments; or should be interpreted in terms of such propositions.This is -it turned out a very good recipe.Of course, propositions bearing on instruments are propositions of classical, macroscopic physcis.As such, they fall -57-