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Typical Quantum States of the Universe are Observationally Indistinguishable

Chen, Eddy Keming and Tumulka, Roderich (2024) Typical Quantum States of the Universe are Observationally Indistinguishable. [Preprint]

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Abstract

This paper is about the epistemology of quantum theory. We establish a new result about a limitation to knowledge of its central object---the quantum state of the universe. We show that, if the universal quantum state can be assumed to be a typical unit vector from a high-dimensional subspace of Hilbert space (such as the subspace defined by a low-entropy macro-state as prescribed by the Past Hypothesis), then no observation can determine (or even just narrow down significantly) which vector it is. Typical state vectors, in other words, are observationally indistinguishable from each other. Our argument is based on a typicality theorem from quantum statistical mechanics. We also discuss how theoretical considerations that go beyond the empirical evidence might bear on this fact and on our knowledge of the universal quantum state.


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Item Type: Preprint
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Chen, Eddy Kemingeddykemingchen@ucsd.edu0000-0001-5144-0952
Tumulka, Roderichroderich.tumulka@uni-tuebingen.de0000-0001-5075-9929
Keywords: limitation to knowledge; empirical equivalence; past hypothesis; quantum statistical mechanics
Subjects: General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Cosmology
General Issues > Evidence
Specific Sciences > Probability/Statistics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
General Issues > Realism/Anti-realism
Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory
Specific Sciences > Physics > Statistical Mechanics/Thermodynamics
General Issues > Theory/Observation
Depositing User: Dr. Eddy Keming Chen
Date Deposited: 23 Oct 2024 17:45
Last Modified: 23 Oct 2024 17:45
Item ID: 24101
Subjects: General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Cosmology
General Issues > Evidence
Specific Sciences > Probability/Statistics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
General Issues > Realism/Anti-realism
Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory
Specific Sciences > Physics > Statistical Mechanics/Thermodynamics
General Issues > Theory/Observation
Date: 22 October 2024
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/24101

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