This is a paper in the field of ontological deterministic theories behind Quantum Field Theories, like for example the cellular automaton theories proposed by 't Hooft. In these theories one has ontological states in which the state of reality is exactly known and no uncertainties are present. Also these states evolve in time deterministically. A first step in finding the ontological deterministic theory behind the Standard Model is to find in Quantum Field Theory the states that behave as ontological states. We present the ontological states for all non-interacting (3+1-dimensional) Quantum Field Theories occurring in the Standard Model. We summarize the ontological states for free scalar bosons and for free masless Dirac fermions, which are known from the literature. We construct the ontological states for vector bosons, in analogy to the scalar boson case. With this we have a set of ontological states for all particles that are known to occur in reality and in the Standard Model.
This is a paper in the field of ontological deterministic theories behind Quantum Field Theories, like for example the cellular automaton theories proposed by 't Hooft. In these theories one has ontological states in which the state of reality is exactly known and no uncertainties are present. Also these states evolve in time deterministically. A first step in finding the ontological deterministic theory behind the Standard Model is to find in Quantum Field Theory the states that behave as ontological states. We present the ontological states for all non-interacting (3+1-dimensional) Quantum Field Theories occurring in the Standard Model. We summarize the ontological states for free scalar bosons and for free masless Dirac fermions, which are known from the literature. We construct the ontological states for vector bosons, in analogy to the scalar boson case. With this we have a set of ontological states for all particles that are known to occur in reality and in the Standard Model.
We show how one can reproduce the state evolution known from interacting QFT from an ontological deterministic theory. This is an important step in finding the reality that underlies QFT.In previous work ontic theories behind free QFTs were found, for all QFTs that occur in the Standard Model (spin-0, spin-1/2 & spin-1). In this paper we extend the ontological theory behind QFT to the case with interactions. We do this by starting out from the ontic theories found for free QFTs and see what happens if we try to include interactions (known from QFT). This will lead us to the conjecture that the ontic theory behind any QFT with interaction is, at the basis, the corresponding classical field theory. We study such a classical field theory for the case of a real scalar field with φn-interaction. We determine the evolution of the probability density of the ontic fields and cast it into a formalism known from QFT. We will focus on the simplest case of self-interaction, to illustrate our procedure. We find that we can reproduce the probability evolution from real scalar QFT with (self-)interaction, for this simplest case.
The notion of ontological states is introduced here with reference to the Cellular Automaton Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics (QM) proposed by ’t Hooft. A class of discrete deterministic “Hamiltonian” Cellular Automata (CA) is defined that has been shown to bear many features in common with continuum quantum mechanical models, however, deformed by the presence of a finite discreteness scale [Formula: see text], such that for [Formula: see text], the usual properties result e.g. concerning linearity, dispersion relations, multipartite systems, and Superposition Principle. We argue that within this class of models, only very primitive realizations of ontological states and their dynamics can exist, since the equations of motion tend to produce superposition states that are not ontological. The most interesting, if not the only way out seems to involve interacting multipartite systems composed of two-state “Ising spins”, which evolve by a unitary transfer matrix. Thus, quantum like and ontological models appear side by side here, but distinguished by second-order and first-order dynamics, respectively.
Philosophical interpretations of theories generally presuppose that a theory can be presented as a consistent mathematical formulation that is interpreted through models. Algebraic quantum field theory (AQFT) can fit this interpretative model. However, standard Lagrangian quantum field theory (LQFT), as well as quantum electrodynamics and nuclear physics, resists recasting along such formal lines. The difference has a distinct bearing on ontological issues. AQFT does not treat particle interactions or the standard model. This paper develops a framework and methodology for interpreting such informal theories as LQFT and the standard model. We begin by summarizing two minimal epistemological interpretation of non-relativistic quantum mechanics (NRQM): Bohrian semantics, which focuses on communicables; and quantum information theory, which focuses on the algebra of local observables. Schwinger's development of quantum field theory supplies a unique path from NRQM to QFT, where each step is conceptually anchored in local measurements. LQFT and the standard model rely on postulates that go beyond the limits set by AQFT and Schwinger's anabatic methodology. The particle ontology of the standard model is clarified by regarding the standard model as an informal modular theory with a limited range of validity.
A sharper formulation is presented for an interpretation of quantum mechanics advocated by the author. We claim that only those quantum theories should be considered for which an ontological basis can be constructed. In terms of this basis, the entire theory can be considered as being deterministic. An example is illustrated: massless, noninteracting fermions are ontological. Subsequently, as an essential element of the deterministic interpretation, we put forward conservation laws concerning the ontological nature of a variable, and the uncertainties concerning the realization of states. Quantum mechanics can then be treated as a device that combines statistics with mechanical, deterministic laws, such that uncertainties are passed on from initial states to final states.
In this PhD thesis, the candidate has performed a metaphysical inquiry on the ontological structure of quantum field theory. This analysis s required since it is the rnost advanced physical theory concerned with the inherent structures of our reality. Unfortunately, this theory relies on the ill-defîned structures (both conceptual and mathematical) of quantum mechanics. After having convincingly refuted the widespread belief that an ontology of localizable particles is incompatible with the basic tenets of quantum field theory, the thesis compared the metaphysical pros and cons of two proposais: the so-called "Bell type quantum field theories", which associate an ontology of particles to (more or less) any regularized quantum field theory; in such theories the particles are non persistent in time (they can be created and annihilated) and evolve according to a non deterministic law , and the so called "Dirac sea models", that allow for ail ontology of persisting particles that move on continuous trajectories following a deterministic law. These models are based on a ontologically/technically consistent approach, thus they represent two viable alternative to quantum field theory.
What exists at the fundamental level of reality? On the standard picture, the fundamental reality contains (among other things) fundamental matter, such as particles, fields, or even the quantum state. Non-fundamental facts are explained by facts about fundamental matter, at least in part. In this paper, I introduce a non-standard picture called the “cosmic void” in which the universe is devoid of any fundamental material ontology. Facts about tables and chairs are recovered from a special kind of laws that satisfy strong determinism. All non-fundamental facts are completely explained by nomic facts. I discuss a concrete example of this picture in a strongly deterministic version of the many-worlds theory of quantum mechanics. I discuss some philosophical and scientific challenges to this view, as well as some connections to ontological nihilism.