Esfeld, Michael (2016) Collapse or no collapse? What is the best ontology of quantum mechanics in the primitive ontology framework? [Preprint]

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Abstract

Recalling the state of the art in the interpretation of quantum physics, this paper emphasizes that one cannot simply add a collapse parameter to the Schrödinger equation in order to solve the measurement problem. If one does so, one is also committed to a primitive ontology of a configuration of matter in physical space in order to have something in the ontology that constitutes the determinate measurement outcomes. The paper then argues that in the light of this consequence, the collapse postulate loses its attractiveness in comparison to an ontology of persisting particles moving on continuous trajectories according to a deterministic law.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Esfeld, Michael Michael-Andreas.Esfeld@unil.ch
Keywords:	measurement problem, collapse postulate, primitive ontology, Bohmian mechanics, GRW matter density theory, GRW flash theory
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Depositing User:	Michael Esfeld
Date Deposited:	29 Nov 2016 16:05
Last Modified:	29 Nov 2016 16:05
Item ID:	12666
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Date:	28 November 2016
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/12666

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