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Voprosy filosofii

The Interpretations of Quantum Mechanics in the 21st Century

Alexander A. Pechenkin

Published Apr 2, 2026• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

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.

DOI
10.21146/0042-8744-2026-3-62-72

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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.
The first famous thought experiment of Einstein gives rise to his theories of relativity, the bedrock of modern astrophysics and cosmology. His second famous thought experiment begins the investigation into the foundations of quantum mechanics. It leads to a paradox, inspiring various 'no-go' theorems proven by Bell, Kochen, and Specker. Physicists and philosophers worldwide become increasingly dissatisfied with the probabilistic complementarity interpretation (Born-Bohr) and eventually offer their own accounts of the theory. By the end of the 20th century two alternative approaches stand out as the best candidates: Both the hidden variables interpretation (de Broglie-Bohm) and the many worlds interpretation (Everett-DeWitt) give compelling descriptions of what the true nature of quantum reality could be. In this paper, a chronological overview of all these events is given, followed by a philosophical analysis of the three aforementioned interpretations. Ultimately it is concluded that the many worlds interpretation should be adopted as the best understanding of the formalism of quantum mechanics and, therefore, should be used in the multiversity textbooks.
The interpretation of quantum mechanics has been disputed ever since the advent of the theory in the 1920’s. Famous are the discussions over long time between Einstein and Bohr. Einstein refused to accept the so‐called Copenhagen interpretation, where the wave function collapses at a measurement and where the outcome of the measurement is essentially accidental (“God does not play dice”). Alternative interpretations have appeared, but the Copenhagen school has dominated the thoughts throughout the decades. One interesting interpretation was formulated in 1957 by Hugh Everett at Princeton, a student of John Wheeler, which abandons the wave‐function collapse. In this model the universe is governed entirely by the Schrödinger equation, which does not allow for any collapse. In Everett’s model after a measurement the wave function is separated into different branches that do not interact. This model was left unnoticed for long time until Bryce DeWitt took it up in 1970 and termed it “Many‐Worlds Interpretation”, a term that in some sense is misleading. Everett’s model is incomplete, and it was later supplemented by the theory of decoherence, which explains how the different branches decouple as a result of the interaction with the environment. This extended model has in recent years gained increased respect, and some believe that it is the only model made available so far that is fully consistent with quantum mechanics. This interpretation can also shed some light on the development of the universe and, in particular, on the so‐called Anthropic principle, which puts human beings at the center of the development.
This work presents a historical-epistemological analysis of the foundations of quantum mechanics. From a philosophical point of view, the relationships between quantum mechanics and scientific realism are highlighted, as well as the influence of the neo-positivist philosophy of the first decades of the 20th century. The great significance of measurement in the context of quantum mechanics is underlined, as an essential element in providing a coherent description of reality moving from the microcosm to the macrocosm, as well as the role that the measurement apparatus and the consciousness of the observer assume during the act of measurement, the ontological problem, the problem of the objectification of the wave function and the problem of the definition of discernibility. This is followed by an overview of the most important alternative proposals to the standard interpretation (Copenhagen interpretation), with particular reference to hidden variable theories, and other alternatives to standard quantum mechanics that profoundly modify the vision of reality, such as the Everett’s many-worlds theory, the QBism, the unified holistic approach.
We present a historical-epistemological analysis of the foundations of quantum mechanics, highlighting the relationships between quantum mechanics and scientific realism, as well as the influence of the neo-positivist philosophy of the first decades of the 20th century. The great significance of the measurement process in the context of quantum mechanics is underlined as an essential element in providing a coherent description of reality, moving from micro to macrocosm, as well as the role that the measurement apparatus and the consciousness of the observer assume during the act of measurement, the related ontological problems, the question of the objectification of the wave function, and that of the definition of discernibility. We consider also an overview of the most important alternative proposals to the standard interpretation of quantum mechanics (Copenhagen interpretation), with particular reference to hidden variable theories and other alternatives to standard quantum mechanics philosophical approach, that are modifying the vision of reality, such as the Everett’s many-worlds theory, the QBism and unified holistic approaches, such as the Primordial Dynamic Space.
We briefly review the Copenhagen Interpretation. The original Copenhagen Interpretation of approximately a century ago was enriched with the work of von Neumann and is now referred to as the Orthodox view. The issue of evolution of a quantum system in light of measuring process in this Orthodox interpretation has been extensively developed and a comprehensive thought system of understanding has been written by Stapp. In our view, an enhancement of the work to date allows for a novel understanding of the role of observation in quantum systems.
Quantum mechanics has engendered some philosophical disputes surrounding its conceptual foundation.To solve these disputes,some alternative interpretations which are different from orthodox(and Copenhagen) interpretation have been engendered.In the recent twenty years,the idea of decoherence has aroused attention among physicists and physical philosophers.Decoherence effects alone cannot solve the measurement problem.But decoherence including environmental interactions not only poses new conceptual questions but also suggests solutions to fundamental problems.