Interpretation I

Marcus Elstner

Wan Xiao-long

The interpretation of quantum mechanics expands quantum theory,and it embodies quantum theory's consistence semantically.Copenhagen interpretation,the minimal ensemble interpretation,ontological interpretation,many-worlds interpretation,modal interpretation and decoherence interpretation have different additional requirements and force.Comparing the six interpretations from between the tension of additional requirement and force is not only the need of the whole scientific knowledge,but also the need of consistence semantically.

Marcus Elstner

Osvaldo Pessoa

This paper explores how experiments influence the reception of interpretations of quantum mechanics, and also other relations between experiments and interpretations in that field. We start by surveying the struggle of different schools of philosophy of science in the 19th and early 20th centuries to adapt to the scientific advances, and then give a brief overview of realist and antirealist interpretations in quantum mechanics. Eight different types of relations between interpretations and experiments are then examined, with case studies from the history of quantum mechanics. (1) Many interpretations agree with all of the predictions of the instrumentalist interpretation, which is a good strategy for survival. (2) Some interpretations make different predictions that are not testable. (3) Other interpretations constitute ‘a different theory’ and are testable, although sometimes this is not anticipated by the interpretation. (4) Some interpretations have generated many variations, by adjustment of parameters or hypotheses, and part of these variations have been tested and ruled out by experiment. (5) At times experiments reinforce an interpretation. (6) Some experiments lead to a refinement of the interpretation. (7) There are experiments that suggest the creation of an interpretation. (8) And there are cases in which experiments are suggested by an interpretation, while not affecting its rivals.

Alexander A. Pechenkin

In the 20th century the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics had the leading position. This interpretation was formulated by N. Bohr and W. Hei­senberg in the late twenties and in thirties and was named the orthodox interpretation as it was presented in leading textbooks. The alternative interpretations arose, however they were treated in connection with the problems, which were typical for the orthodox interpretation. In the 21st century the new situation arose. A number of non-orthodox interpretations has been taken under consi­deration by the physicists, and they have been treated in connection withtheir specific methodological problems. In the present paper we refer to the list of the popular interpretations of quantum mechanics, the list which was compiled on the basis of two sources: 1) a survey of the physicists who participated in the seminar which was organized by the Nobel Prize winner A. Zeilinger, and 2) a review of the literature, provided by the French physicist and the historian of physics F. Laloë. We take under consideration the following interpretations: the Copenhagen interpretation, information interpretation (A. Zeilinger), many-worlds interpretation (H. Everett, B. DeWitt); interpretation of relative states (H. Everett); interpretation of objective collapse (R. Penrose); subjectivist (Bayesian) interpretation.

Marcus Elstner