Faglia, Paolo (2025) Relational Quantum Mechanics Does Not Resolve the Problem of Measurement. [Preprint]

Text (Submitted manuscript - now published in Philosophy of Physics) Relational Quantum Mechanics does not Resolve the Problem of Measurement - PhilSci Archive version 30th sept.pdf - Submitted Version Download (436kB)

Abstract

Relational quantum mechanics (RQM) explains the world in terms of an ontology of systems and events, where an event consists of a variable of a system taking a value relative to another system. Two strands of RQM may be distinguished depending on whether events are taken to be absolute or relative. The arguments in this paper apply to both. I argue that, in order to solve the problem of measurement, RQM needs to offer a specification of the circumstances in which events occur. Current formulations of RQM claim that events occur whenever interactions occur, without further defining what is meant by ‘interaction’. I develop the most plausible ways of understanding the notion of interaction, but I show that they fail to provide a satisfactory specification for the occurrence of events. In light of these failed constructive efforts, I conclude that the prospects for formulating a version of RQM which both satisfies its aims and solves the problem of measurement are dim.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Faglia, Paolo paolo.faglia@icloud.com 0000-0002-3125-9141
Additional Information:	This paper is now published in Philosophy of Physics. The published version includes some minor corrections. Please check the freely available published version on https://philosophyofphysics.lse.ac.uk/articles/10.31389/pop.209
Keywords:	Relational Quantum Mechanics, Quantum Mechanics, Measurement Problem
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Depositing User:	Paolo Faglia
Date Deposited:	30 Sep 2025 10:47
Last Modified:	30 Sep 2025 10:47
Item ID:	26787
Official URL:	https://philosophyofphysics.lse.ac.uk/articles/10....
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Date:	2025
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/26787

Available Versions of this Item

• Relational Quantum Mechanics Does Not Resolve the Problem of Measurement. (deposited 09 Jan 2025 13:33)
  • Relational Quantum Mechanics Does Not Resolve the Problem of Measurement. (deposited 30 Sep 2025 10:47) [Currently Displayed]

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