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Realism about the Wave Function

Chen, Eddy Keming (2019) Realism about the Wave Function. Philosophy Compass.

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Abstract

A century after the discovery of quantum mechanics, the meaning of quantum mechanics still remains elusive. This is largely due to the puzzling nature of the wave function, the central object in quantum mechanics. If we are realists about quantum mechanics, how should we understand the wave function? What does it represent? What is its physical meaning? Answering these questions would improve our understanding of what it means to be a realist about quantum mechanics. In this survey article, I review and compare several realist interpretations of the wave function. They fall into three categories: ontological interpretations, nomological interpretations, and the sui generis interpretation. For simplicity, I will focus on non-relativistic quantum mechanics.


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Item Type: Published Article or Volume
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Chen, Eddy Kemingeddyckm@gmail.com0000-0001-5144-0952
Keywords: quantum mechanics, wave function, quantum state of the universe, scientific realism, measurement problem, configuration space realism, Hilbert space realism, multi-field, spacetime state realism, laws of nature
Subjects: General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics
General Issues > Laws of Nature
Specific Sciences > Physics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
General Issues > Realism/Anti-realism
Depositing User: Dr. Eddy Keming Chen
Date Deposited: 13 Jun 2019 12:54
Last Modified: 13 Jun 2019 12:54
Item ID: 16031
Journal or Publication Title: Philosophy Compass
DOI or Unique Handle: 10.1111/phc3.12611
Subjects: General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics
General Issues > Laws of Nature
Specific Sciences > Physics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
General Issues > Realism/Anti-realism
Date: 12 June 2019
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/16031

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