Kastner, Ruth (2016) Is There Really "Retrocausation" in Time-Symmetric Approaches to Quantum Mechanics? [Preprint]

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Abstract

Time-symmetric interpretations of quantum theory are often presented as featuring "retrocausal" effects in addition to the usual forward notion of causation. This paper examines the ontological implications of certain time- symmetric theories, and finds that no dynamical notion of causation applies to them, either forward or backward. It is concluded that such theories actually describe a static picture, in which the notion of causation is relegated to a descriptor of static relationships among events. In addition, these theories lead to an epistemic rather than ontologically referring, realist view of quantum states.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Kastner, Ruth rkastner@umd.edu
Keywords:	quantum theory, time symmetry, retrocausation, block world
Subjects:	General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics General Issues > Structure of Theories Specific Sciences > Physics > Symmetries/Invariances
Depositing User:	Dr. Ruth Kastner
Date Deposited:	16 Jul 2016 02:58
Last Modified:	16 Jul 2016 02:58
Item ID:	12282
Subjects:	General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics General Issues > Structure of Theories Specific Sciences > Physics > Symmetries/Invariances
Date:	14 July 2016
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/12282

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