Friederich, Simon (2021) Introducing the Q-based interpretation of quantum theory. [Preprint]

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Abstract

This article outlines a novel interpretation of quantum theory: the Q-based interpretation. The core idea underlying this interpretation, recently suggested for quantum field theories by Drummond and Reid (2020), is to interpret the phase space function Q---a transform of the better known Wigner function---as a proper probability distribution, roughly analogous to the probability distribution \rho in classical statistical mechanics.

Here I motivate the Q-based interpretation, investigate whether it is empirically adequate, and outline some of its key conceptual features. I argue that the Q-based interpretation is attractive in that it promises having no measurement problem, is conceptually parsimonious and has the potential to apply elegantly to relativistic and field-theoretic contexts.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Friederich, Simon s.m.friederich@rug.nl 0000-0003-4372-5995
Additional Information:	accepted for publication by BJPS
Keywords:	quantum theory measurement problem phase space Q-function retrocausality temporal non-locality
Subjects:	General Issues > Causation Specific Sciences > Probability/Statistics Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Field Theory Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics General Issues > Realism/Anti-realism
Depositing User:	Dr. Simon Friederich
Date Deposited:	28 Jun 2021 04:23
Last Modified:	28 Jun 2021 04:23
Item ID:	19233
Subjects:	General Issues > Causation Specific Sciences > Probability/Statistics Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Field Theory Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics General Issues > Realism/Anti-realism
Date:	June 2021
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/19233

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