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arXiv:quant-ph/9910096 · Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part B Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics

Quantum Mechanics as a Principle Theory

Jeffrey Bub

Published Mar 1, 2000• 54 citations
arXivHTMLPDF
DOI
10.1016/s1355-2198(99)00032-5

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Einstein’s 1919 distinction between “principle theories” and ”constructive theories” has been applied by Jeffrey Bub to classify the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics (QM) as a principle theory agree with this classification. Additionally, I argue that Bohm’s interpretation of QM fits Einstein’s concept of a constructive theory. Principle theories include empirically established laws or principles, such as the first and second laws of thermodynamics or the principles of special relativity, including the Born Rule of QM. According to Einstein, principle theories offer ”security in their foundations and logical perfection”. However, ultimate understanding requires constructive theories, which build complex phenomena from simpler models. Constructive theories provide intelligible models of physical phenomena. Bohm’s QM, with its added microstructure, presents such a model. In this framework, quantum phenomena appear from statistical ensembles of microparticles in motion, with deterministic particle trajectories guided by the wave function. This reveals how Bohm’s account offers a constructive model for understanding quantum phenomena.

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The principle aim of this dissertation is to investigate the philosophical application of quantum information theory to interpretational issues regarding the theory of quantum mechanics. Recently, quantum information theory has emerged as a potential source for such an interpretation. The main question with which this dissertation will be concerned is whether or not an information-theoretic interpretation can serve as a conceptually acceptable interpretation of quantum mechanics. It will be argued that some of the more obvious approaches - that quantum information theory shows us that ultimately the world is made of information, and quantum Bayesianism - fail as philosophical interpretations of quantum mechanics. However, the information-theoretic approach of Clifton, Bub, and Halvorson introduces Einstein's distinction between principle theories and constructive theories, arguing that quantum mechanics is best understood as an information-theoretic principle theory. While I argue that this particular approach fails, it does offer a viable new philosophical role for information theory. Specifically, an investigation of interpretationally successful principle theories such as Newtonian mechanics, special relativity, and general relativity, shows that the particular principles employed are necessary as constitutive elements of a framework which partially defines the basic explanatory concepts of space, time, and motion. Without such constitutive principles as preconditions for empirical meaning, scientific progress is hampered. It is argued that the philosophical issues in quantum mechanics stem from an analogous conceptual crisis. On the basis of this comparison, the best strategy for resolving these problems is to apply a similar sort of conceptual analysis to quantum mechanics so as to provide an appropriate set of constitutive principles clarifying the conceptual issues at stake. It is further argued that quantum information theory is ideally placed as a novel conceptual framework from which to conduct this analysis.

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Quantum certainty mechanics is a theory for measuring the position and momentum of a particle. Mathematically proven certainty principle from uncertainty principle, which is basically one of the most important formulas of quantum certainty mechanics theory. The principle of uncertainty can be proved by the principle of certainty and why uncertainty comes can also be proved. The principle of certainty can be proved from the theory of relativity And in the uncertainty principle equation, the principle of certainty can be proved by fulfilling the conditions of the principle of certainty by multiplying the uncertain constant with the certain values of momentum-position and energy-time. The principle of certainty proves that the calculation of θ π/2 between the particle and the wave involved in the particle leads to uncertainty. But calculating with θ=0 does not bring uncertainty. Quantum certainty mechanics has been established by combining Newtonian mechanics, relativity theory and quantum mechanics. Quantum entanglement can be explained by protecting the principle of conservation of energy.

International Journal of Sciences: Basic and Applied Research•Jan 10, 2021•0 citations
Einstein’s 1919 distinction between “principle theories” and ”constructive theories” has been applied by Jeffrey Bub to classify the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics (QM) as a principle theory agree with this classification. Additionally, I argue that Bohm’s interpretation of QM fits Einstein’s concept of a constructive theory. Principle theories include empirically established laws or principles, such as the first and second laws of thermodynamics or the principles of special relativity, including the Born Rule of QM. According to Einstein, principle theories offer ”security in their foundations and logical perfection”. However, ultimate understanding requires constructive theories, which build complex phenomena from simpler models. Constructive theories provide intelligible models of physical phenomena. Bohm’s QM, with its added microstructure, presents such a model. In this framework, quantum phenomena appear from statistical ensembles of microparticles in motion, with deterministic particle trajectories guided by the wave function. This reveals how Bohm’s account offers a constructive model for understanding quantum phenomena.
The principle aim of this dissertation is to investigate the philosophical application of quantum information theory to interpretational issues regarding the theory of quantum mechanics. Recently, quantum information theory has emerged as a potential source for such an interpretation. The main question with which this dissertation will be concerned is whether or not an information-theoretic interpretation can serve as a conceptually acceptable interpretation of quantum mechanics. It will be argued that some of the more obvious approaches - that quantum information theory shows us that ultimately the world is made of information, and quantum Bayesianism - fail as philosophical interpretations of quantum mechanics. However, the information-theoretic approach of Clifton, Bub, and Halvorson introduces Einstein's distinction between principle theories and constructive theories, arguing that quantum mechanics is best understood as an information-theoretic principle theory. While I argue that this particular approach fails, it does offer a viable new philosophical role for information theory. Specifically, an investigation of interpretationally successful principle theories such as Newtonian mechanics, special relativity, and general relativity, shows that the particular principles employed are necessary as constitutive elements of a framework which partially defines the basic explanatory concepts of space, time, and motion. Without such constitutive principles as preconditions for empirical meaning, scientific progress is hampered. It is argued that the philosophical issues in quantum mechanics stem from an analogous conceptual crisis. On the basis of this comparison, the best strategy for resolving these problems is to apply a similar sort of conceptual analysis to quantum mechanics so as to provide an appropriate set of constitutive principles clarifying the conceptual issues at stake. It is further argued that quantum information theory is ideally placed as a novel conceptual framework from which to conduct this analysis.
Quantum certainty mechanics is a theory for measuring the position and momentum of a particle. Mathematically proven certainty principle from uncertainty principle, which is basically one of the most important formulas of quantum certainty mechanics theory. The principle of uncertainty can be proved by the principle of certainty and why uncertainty comes can also be proved. The principle of certainty can be proved from the theory of relativity And in the uncertainty principle equation, the principle of certainty can be proved by fulfilling the conditions of the principle of certainty by multiplying the uncertain constant with the certain values of momentum-position and energy-time. The principle of certainty proves that the calculation of θ π/2 between the particle and the wave involved in the particle leads to uncertainty. But calculating with θ=0 does not bring uncertainty. Quantum certainty mechanics has been established by combining Newtonian mechanics, relativity theory and quantum mechanics. Quantum entanglement can be explained by protecting the principle of conservation of energy.