Muciño, Ricardo and Okon, Elias and Sudarsky, Daniel (2022) Assessing Relational Quantum Mechanics. [Preprint]

Preview

Text (Accepted in Synthese) RQM3.pdf - Accepted Version Download (513kB) | Preview

Abstract

Relational Quantum Mechanics (RQM) is an interpretation of quantum theory based on the idea of abolishing the notion of absolute states of systems, in favor of states of systems relative to other systems. Such a move is claimed to solve the conceptual problems of standard quantum mechanics. Moreover, RQM has been argued to account for all quantum correlations without invoking non-local effects and, in spite of embracing a fully relational stance, to successfully explain how different observers exchange information. In this work, we carry out a thorough assessment of RQM and its purported achievements. We find that it fails to address the conceptual problems of standard quantum mechanics—related to the lack of clarity in its ontology and the rules that govern its behavior—and that it leads to serious conceptual problems of its own. We also uncover as unwarranted the claims that RQM can correctly explain information exchange among observers, and that it accommodates all quantum correlations without invoking non-local influences. We conclude that RQM is unsuccessful in its attempt to provide a satisfactory understanding of the quantum world.

---

Export/Citation:

EndNote | BibTeX | Dublin Core | ASCII/Text Citation (Chicago) | HTML Citation | OpenURL

Social Networking:

Share |

---

Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Muciño, Ricardo ric.phys@ciencias.unam.mx Okon, Elias eokon@filosoficas.unam.mx Sudarsky, Daniel sudarsky@nucleares.unam.mx
Keywords:	Relational quantum mechanics; Measurement problem; Non-locality; Interpretation of quantum mechanics; Relative states.
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Depositing User:	Dr. Elias Okon
Date Deposited:	12 Sep 2022 23:14
Last Modified:	12 Sep 2022 23:14
Item ID:	21154
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Date:	12 September 2022
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/21154

Available Versions of this Item

• Assessing Relational Quantum Mechanics. (deposited 28 May 2021 01:46)
  • Assessing Relational Quantum Mechanics. (deposited 12 Sep 2022 23:14) [Currently Displayed]

Monthly Views for the past 3 years

Monthly Downloads for the past 3 years

Plum Analytics

Actions (login required)

View Item