Quantum information theory is a rich and sophisticated physical theory that provides new insights into solving the conceptual difficulties in quantum theory. However, while informational concept to solve the conceptual difficulties in quantum mechanics is used, immaterialism and instrumentalism also prevails. We need to explore the new insights into quantum world using informational concept. On the other hand, it is necessary to keep a properly skeptical attitude to immaterialism and instrumentalism.
Quantum information theory is a rich and sophisticated physical theory that provides new insights into solving the conceptual difficulties in quantum theory. However, while informational concept to solve the conceptual difficulties in quantum mechanics is used, immaterialism and instrumentalism also prevails. We need to explore the new insights into quantum world using informational concept. On the other hand, it is necessary to keep a properly skeptical attitude to immaterialism and instrumentalism.
We live, we are told, in an information age. We are told this, perhaps, less often than once we were; but no doubt only because the phrase has become worn from use. If ours is an age of information, then quantum information theory is a field propitiously in tune with the spirit of the times: a rich and sophisticated physical theory that seeks to tame quantum mysteries (no less!) and turn them to ingenious computational and communication ends. It is a theory that hints, moreover, at the possibility of finally rendering the quantum unmysterious ; or at least this is a conclusion that many have been tempted to draw. Yet, for all its timeliness, some of the most intriguing of the prospects that quantum information science presents are to be found intertwining with some surprisingly old and familiar philosophical themes. These themes are immaterialism and instrumentalism; and in this chapter we shall be exploring how these old ideas feature in the context of two of the most tantalizing new questions that have arisen with the advent of this field. Does quantum information theory finally help us to resolve the conceptual conundrums of quantum mechanics? And does the theory indicate a new way of thinking about the world – one in which the material as the fundamental subject matter of physical theory is seen to be replaced by the immaterial: information?
Quantum information theory represents a rich subject of discussion for those interested in the philosphical and foundational issues surrounding quantum mechanics for a simple reason: one can cast its central concerns in terms of a long-familiar question: How does the quantum world differ from the classical one? Moreover, deployment of the concepts of information and computation in novel contexts hints at new (or better) means of understanding quantum mechanics, and perhaps even invites re-assessment of traditional material conceptions of the basic nature of the physical world. In this paper I review some of these philosophical aspects of quantum information theory, begining with an elementary survey of the theory, seeking to highlight some of the principles and heuristics involved. We move on to a discussion of the nature and definition of quantum information and deploy the findings in discussing the puzzles surrounding teleportation. The final two sections discuss, respectively, what one might learn from the development of quantum computation (both about the nature of quantum systems and about the nature of computation) and consider the impact of quantum information theory on the traditional foundational questions of quantum mechanics (treating of the views of Zeilinger, Bub and Fuchs, amongst others).
Quantum information theory represents a rich subject of discussion for those interested in the philosphical and foundational issues surrounding quantum mechanics for a simple reason: one can cast its central concerns in terms of a long-familiar question: How does the quantum world differ from the classical one? Moreover, deployment of the concepts of information and computation in novel contexts hints at new (or better) means of understanding quantum mechanics, and perhaps even invites re-assessment of traditional material conceptions of the basic nature of the physical world. In this paper I review some of these philosophical aspects of quantum information theory, begining with an elementary survey of the theory, seeking to highlight some of the principles and heuristics involved. We move on to a discussion of the nature and definition of quantum information and deploy the findings in discussing the puzzles surrounding teleportation. The final two sections discuss, respectively, what one might learn from the development of quantum computation (both about the nature of quantum systems and about the nature of computation) and consider the impact of quantum information theory on the traditional foundational questions of quantum mechanics (treating of the views of Zeilinger, Bub and Fuchs, amongst others).
The approach to thinking about information developed in the previous chapter is turned towards the quantum theory. First, some of the characteristic ideas and applications of quantum information theory are presented, then the nature of quantum information itself is discussed. With the correct conception of Shannon information to hand, the dimension of generalisation which the quantum concept occupies is made clear. Quantum information is simply what is produced by a quantum information source. As in the classical case, a piece of information will be an abstract type (a sequence of quantum states), rather than a concrete thing or physical substance. This conception is defended from a number of potential objections which might be raised. With a clear grasp obtained of the relation between quantum information and the world, it proves short work to dissect the slogan `Information is Physical’ and dispatch the prospect of informational immaterialism.
The principle aim of this dissertation is to investigate the philosophical application of quantum information theory to interpretational issues regarding the theory of quantum mechanics. Recently, quantum information theory has emerged as a potential source for such an interpretation. The main question with which this dissertation will be concerned is whether or not an information-theoretic interpretation can serve as a conceptually acceptable interpretation of quantum mechanics. It will be argued that some of the more obvious approaches - that quantum information theory shows us that ultimately the world is made of information, and quantum Bayesianism - fail as philosophical interpretations of quantum mechanics. However, the information-theoretic approach of Clifton, Bub, and Halvorson introduces Einstein's distinction between principle theories and constructive theories, arguing that quantum mechanics is best understood as an information-theoretic principle theory. While I argue that this particular approach fails, it does offer a viable new philosophical role for information theory. Specifically, an investigation of interpretationally successful principle theories such as Newtonian mechanics, special relativity, and general relativity, shows that the particular principles employed are necessary as constitutive elements of a framework which partially defines the basic explanatory concepts of space, time, and motion. Without such constitutive principles as preconditions for empirical meaning, scientific progress is hampered. It is argued that the philosophical issues in quantum mechanics stem from an analogous conceptual crisis. On the basis of this comparison, the best strategy for resolving these problems is to apply a similar sort of conceptual analysis to quantum mechanics so as to provide an appropriate set of constitutive principles clarifying the conceptual issues at stake. It is further argued that quantum information theory is ideally placed as a novel conceptual framework from which to conduct this analysis.
Combining physics and philosophy, this is a uniquely interdisciplinary examination of quantum information science which provides an up-to-date examination of developments in this field. The authors provide coherent definitions and theories of information, taking clearly defined approaches to considering information in connection with quantum mechanics, probability, and correlations. Concepts addressed include entanglement of quantum states, the relation of quantum correlations to quantum information, and the meaning of the informational approach for the foundations of quantum mechanics. Furthermore, the mathematical concept of information in the communicational context, and the notion of pragmatic information are considered. Suitable as both a discussion of the conceptual and philosophical problems of this field and a comprehensive stand-alone introduction, this book will benefit both experienced and new researchers in quantum information and the philosophy of physics.