Foundations

Luigi Accardi

This conference was devoted to fundamental questions raised by quantum mechanics, especially in quantum information theory. As has become customary in our series of conference in Vaxjo, we were glad to welcome a fruitful assembly of theoretical physicists, experimentalists, mathematicians and even philosophers interested in the foundations of probability and physics. This conference belongs to the series of Vaxjo conferences in foundations of quantum mechanics (especially probabilistic foundations) combined of two subseries, Foundations of Probability and Physics: 2000, 02, 04, 06, 08, and Quantum Theory: Reconsideration of Foundations: 2001, 03, 05, 07. We also mention the first Vaxjo conference: Bohmian mechanics 2000. This is definitely the longest series of conferences on foundations in the history of quantum mechanics.

Alwin Zulehner, Robert Wille

onward. I begin, as earlier, with a long section on research, followed by a section on personal reflections. Although my interests have changed somewhat, I follow the same main seven divisions I used earlier: foundations of physics; theory of measurement; decision theory, foundations of probability, and causality; foundations of psychology; philosophy of language; education and computers; and philosophy and science.

Alwin Zulehner, Robert Wille

Schlosshauer, M., Kofler, J., Anton Zeilinger

Foundational investigations in quantum mechanics, both experimental and theoretical, gave birth to the field of quantum information science. Nevertheless, the foundations of quantum mechanics themselves remain hotly debated in the scientific community, and no consensus on essential questions has been reached. Here, we present the results of a poll carried out among 33 participants of a conference on the foundations of quantum mechanics. The participants completed a questionnaire containing 16 multiple-choice questions probing opinions on quantum-foundational issues. Participants included physicists, philosophers, and mathematicians. We describe our findings, identify commonly held views, and determine strong, medium, and weak correlations between the answers. Our study provides a unique snapshot of current views in the field of quantum foundations, as well as an analysis of the relationships between these views.