Busch, Paul and Jaeger, Gregg (2010) Unsharp Quantum Reality. [Preprint]

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Abstract

The positive operator (valued) measures (POMs) allow one to generalize the notion of observable beyond the traditional one based on projection valued measures (PVMs). Here, we argue that this generalized conception of observable enables a consistent notion of unsharp reality and with it a concept of joint properties. A property manifests itself as an element of unsharp reality by its power, or tendency, of becoming actual or actualizing a specific measurement outcome, where this tendency of actualization is quantified by the associated quantum probability. The resulting single-case interpretation of probability as a degree of reality will be explained in detail and its role in addressing the tensions between quantum and classical accounts of the physical world will be elucidated. It will be shown that potentiality can be viewed as a causal agency that evolves in a well-defined way.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Busch, Paul Jaeger, Gregg
Keywords:	quantum measurement, quantum reality, unsharp observable
Subjects:	General Issues > Determinism/Indeterminism General Issues > Realism/Anti-realism Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Depositing User:	Paul Busch
Date Deposited:	07 May 2010
Last Modified:	07 Oct 2010 15:19
Item ID:	5333
Subjects:	General Issues > Determinism/Indeterminism General Issues > Realism/Anti-realism Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Date:	May 2010
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/5333

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