Lopez, Cristian (2020) The Physics and the Philosophy of Time Reversal in Standard Quantum Mechanics. [Preprint]

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Abstract

A widespread view in physics holds that the implementation of time reversal in standard quantum mechanics must be given by an anti-unitary operator. In foundations and philosophy of physics, however, there has been some discussion about the conceptual grounds of this orthodoxy, largely relying on either its obviousness or its mathematical-physical virtues. My aim in this paper is to substantively change the traditional structure of the debate by highlighting the philosophical commitments underlying the orthodoxy. I argue the persuasive force of the orthodoxy greatly depends on a relationalist metaphysics of time and a by-stipulation view of time-reversal invariance. Only with such philosophical background can the orthodoxy of time reversal in standard quantum mechanics succeed and be properly justified.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Lopez, Cristian lopez.cristian1987@gmail.com 0000-0002-2883-4037
Keywords:	quantum mechanics, time reversal, anti-unitarity, relationalism, symmetry
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics Specific Sciences > Physics > Symmetries/Invariances
Depositing User:	Dr Cristian Lopez
Date Deposited:	02 Aug 2020 03:38
Last Modified:	02 Aug 2020 03:38
Item ID:	17684
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics Specific Sciences > Physics > Symmetries/Invariances
Date:	1 August 2020
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/17684

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• The Physics and the Philosophy of Time Reversal in Standard Quantum Mechanics. (deposited 02 Aug 2020 03:38) [Currently Displayed]
  • The Physics and the Philosophy of Time Reversal in Standard Quantum Mechanics. (deposited 18 Sep 2021 04:33)

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