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Quantum Theory: a Pragmatist Approach

Healey, Richard A. (2011) Quantum Theory: a Pragmatist Approach. [Preprint]

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Abstract

While its applications have made quantum theory arguably the most successful theory in physics, its interpretation continues to be the subject of lively debate within the community of physicists and philosophers concerned with conceptual foundations. This situation poses a problem for a
pragmatist for whom meaning derives from use. While disputes about how to use quantum theory have arisen from time to time, they have typically been quickly resolved, and consensus reached, within the relevant scientific sub-community. Yet rival accounts of the meaning of quantum theory continue to proliferate1. In this article I offer a diagnosis of this situation and outline a pragmatist solution to the problem it poses, leaving further details for subsequent articles.


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Item Type: Preprint
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Healey, Richard A.rhealey@email.arizona.edu
Additional Information: Forthcoming in the British Journal for the Philosophy of Science
Keywords: quantum theory, pragmatism, quantum probabilities, quantum measurement, non-locality, Wigner's friend
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Probability/Statistics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Depositing User: Richard Andrew Healey
Date Deposited: 23 May 2011 09:23
Last Modified: 23 May 2011 09:23
Item ID: 8620
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Probability/Statistics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Date: 22 May 2011
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/8620

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