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A Loophole in an Argument for Interpreting Classical Physics Indeterministically

Wyman Kwok

Published Apr 25, 2020• 0 citations
OpenAlex

Abstract

An indeterministic interpretation of classical physics has been proposed recently, in which the argument relies on the claim that real numbers cannot represent physical reality. This paper aims at showing that the defenses for this claim are fallacious, and hence the argument has a loophole.

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Abstract Do scientific theories limit human knowledge? In other words, are there physical variables hidden by essence forever? We argue for negative answers and illustrate our point on chaotic classical dynamical systems. We emphasize parallels with quantum theory and conclude that the common real numbers are, de facto, the hidden variables of classical physics. Consequently, real numbers should not be considered as “physically real” and classical mechanics, like quantum physics, is indeterministic.
I discuss some of the main interpretations given to explain the indeterministic nature of quantum measurements and show that all has some loopholes in one corner or another. I propose an alternative interpretation based on the notion of continued re-creation of the physical properties. The rate at which the system is re-created is a measure of the determinism of the measurements. The existence of uncertainties is better explained through this view, the meaning of incompatible observables becomes clearer and with the notion of re-creation and the origin of the Heisenberg uncertainty principle becomes more vivid.