Allori, Valia (2017) A New Argument for the Nomological Interpretation of the Wave Function: The Galilean Group and the Classical Limit of Nonrelativistic Quantum Mechanics. [Preprint]
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Abstract
In this paper I investigate, within the framework of realistic interpretations of the wave function in
nonrelativistic quantum mechanics, the mathematical and physical nature of the wave function. I argue against the view that mathematically the wave function is a two-component scalar field on configuration space. First, I review how this view makes quantum mechanics non- Galilei invariant and yields the wrong classical limit. Moreover, I argue that interpreting the wave function as a ray, in agreement many physicists, Galilei invariance is preserved. In addition, I discuss how the wave function behaves more similarly to a gauge potential than to a field. Finally I show how this favors a nomological rather than an ontological view of the wave function.
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| Item Type: | Preprint | ||||||
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| Keywords: | wave function realism, nomological view of the wave function, gauge potentials, projective rays, Galilei invariance, Galilei group | ||||||
| Subjects: | General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics General Issues > Laws of Nature Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics Specific Sciences > Physics > Symmetries/Invariances |
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| Depositing User: | Dr Valia Allori | ||||||
| Date Deposited: | 11 Oct 2017 18:20 | ||||||
| Last Modified: | 11 Oct 2017 18:20 | ||||||
| Item ID: | 14023 | ||||||
| Subjects: | General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics General Issues > Laws of Nature Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics Specific Sciences > Physics > Symmetries/Invariances |
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| Date: | October 2017 | ||||||
| URI: | https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/14023 |
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