A few years ago, I argued that according to spontaneous collapse theories of quantum mechanics, arithmetic applies to macroscopic objects only as an approximation. Several authors have written articles defending spontaneous collapse theories against this charge, including Bassi and Ghirardi, Clifton and Monton, and now Frigg. The arguments of these authors are all different and all ingenious, but in the end I think that none of them succeeds, for reasons I elaborate here. I suggest a fourth line of response, based on an analogy with epistemic paradoxes, which I think is the best way to defend spontaneous collapse theories, and which leaves my main thesis intact.A few years ago, I argued that according to spontaneous collapse theories of quantum mechanics, arithmetic applies to macroscopic objects only as an approximation. Several authors have written articles defending spontaneous collapse theories against this charge, including Bassi and Ghirardi, Clifton and Monton, and now Frigg. The arguments of these authors are all different and all ingenious, but in the end I think that none of them succeeds, for reasons I elaborate here. I suggest a fourth line of response, based on an analogy with epistemic paradoxes, which I think is the best way to defend spontaneous collapse theories, and which leaves my main thesis intact.

International Studies in the Philosophy of ScienceJul 1, 200324 citations

How to Teach and Think About Spontaneous Wave Function Collapse Theories: Not Like Before

Shan Gao

A simple and natural introduction to the concept and formalism of spontaneous wave function collapse can and should be based on textbook knowledge of standard quantum state collapse and monitoring. This approach explains the origin of noise driving the paradigmatic stochastic Schrödinger equations of spontaneous localization of the wave function $Ψ$ . It reveals, on the other hand, that these equations are empirically redundant and the master equations of the noise-averaged state $\hatρ$ are the only empirically testable dynamics in current spontaneous collapse theories.A simple and natural introduction to the concept and formalism of spontaneous wave function collapse can and should be based on textbook knowledge of standard quantum state collapse and monitoring. This approach explains the origin of noise driving the paradigmatic stochastic Schrödinger equations of spontaneous localization of the wave function $Ψ$. It reveals, on the other hand, that these equations are empirically redundant and the master equations of the noise-averaged state $\hatρ$ are the only empirically testable dynamics in current spontaneous collapse theories.

arXiv:1710.02814Cambridge University Press eBooksApr 20, 20186 citations

Collapse Theory

Detlef Dürr, Dustin Lazarovici

Springer eBooksJan 1, 20200 citations

The case of Quantum Gravity with Spontaneous Collapse of the Wave Function

Lajos Diósi

Abstract When about half a century ago the concept of universal spontaneous collapse of the wave function was conceived it was an attempt to alter standard non-relativistic quantum physics. As such, it was largely ignored by relativistic field theory and quantum gravity communities. A central motivation of spontaneous collapse community has been to replace the standard collapse-by-measurement that annoyed many. With few exceptions, it did not annoy the field theory and quantum gravity communities. Concept of certain general-relativity-related universal irreversibility in quantum field theory had been initiated very long ago by Wheeler, Hawking and a few others independently from the concept of spontaneous collapse. Lately the two concepts started to converge and support each other.Abstract When about half a century ago the concept of universal spontaneous collapse of the wave function was conceived it was an attempt to alter standard non-relativistic quantum physics. As such, it was largely ignored by relativistic field theory and quantum gravity communities. A central motivation of spontaneous collapse community has been to replace the standard collapse-by-measurement that annoyed many. With few exceptions, it did not annoy the field theory and quantum gravity communities. Concept of certain general-relativity-related universal irreversibility in quantum field theory had been initiated very long ago by Wheeler, Hawking and a few others independently from the concept of spontaneous collapse. Lately the two concepts started to converge and support each other.

arXiv:2303.06633Journal of Physics Conference SeriesJun 1, 20232 citations

Ψ

. It reveals, on the other hand, that these equations are empirically redundant and the master equations of the noise-averaged state

\hatρ

are the only empirically testable dynamics in current spontaneous collapse theories.