Chen, Eddy Keming (2019) Realism about the Wave Function. Philosophy Compass.
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Abstract
A century after the discovery of quantum mechanics, the meaning of quantum mechanics still remains elusive. This is largely due to the puzzling nature of the wave function, the central object in quantum mechanics. If we are realists about quantum mechanics, how should we understand the wave function? What does it represent? What is its physical meaning? Answering these questions would improve our understanding of what it means to be a realist about quantum mechanics. In this survey article, I review and compare several realist interpretations of the wave function. They fall into three categories: ontological interpretations, nomological interpretations, and the sui generis interpretation. For simplicity, I will focus on non-relativistic quantum mechanics.
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| Item Type: | Published Article or Volume | ||||||
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| Keywords: | quantum mechanics, wave function, quantum state of the universe, scientific realism, measurement problem, configuration space realism, Hilbert space realism, multi-field, spacetime state realism, laws of nature | ||||||
| Subjects: | General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics General Issues > Laws of Nature Specific Sciences > Physics Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics General Issues > Realism/Anti-realism |
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| Depositing User: | Dr. Eddy Keming Chen | ||||||
| Date Deposited: | 13 Jun 2019 12:54 | ||||||
| Last Modified: | 13 Jun 2019 12:54 | ||||||
| Item ID: | 16031 | ||||||
| Journal or Publication Title: | Philosophy Compass | ||||||
| DOI or Unique Handle: | 10.1111/phc3.12611 | ||||||
| Subjects: | General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics General Issues > Laws of Nature Specific Sciences > Physics Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics General Issues > Realism/Anti-realism |
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| Date: | 12 June 2019 | ||||||
| URI: | https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/16031 |
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Realism about the Wave Function. (deposited 13 Oct 2018 22:01)
- Realism about the Wave Function. (deposited 13 Jun 2019 12:54) [Currently Displayed]
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