PhilSci Archive

Finite frequentism explains quantum probability

Saunders, Simon (2024) Finite frequentism explains quantum probability. [Preprint]

[img]
Preview
Text
Finite Frequentism archive.pdf

Download (589kB) | Preview

Abstract

I show that frequentism, as an explanation of probability in classical statistical mechanics, can be extended in a natural way to a decoherent quantum history space, the analogue of a classical phase space. The result is a form of finite frequentism, in which Gibbs’ concept of an infinite ensemble of gases is replaced by the quantum state expressed as a superposition of a finite number of decohering microstates. It is a form of finite and actual frequentism (as opposed to hypothetical frequentism) insofar as all the microstates exist, in keeping with the decoherence-based Everett interpretation, and some versions of pilot-wave theory.


Export/Citation: EndNote | BibTeX | Dublin Core | ASCII/Text Citation (Chicago) | HTML Citation | OpenURL
Social Networking:
Share |

Item Type: Preprint
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Saunders, Simonsimon.saunders@philosophy.ox.ac.uk0000-0002-8292-3014
Keywords: Everett, decoherence, Gibbs, Boltzmann, quantum mechanics, objective probability
Subjects: General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Classical Physics
General Issues > Decision Theory
General Issues > Determinism/Indeterminism
General Issues > Explanation
Specific Sciences > Probability/Statistics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
General Issues > Realism/Anti-realism
Specific Sciences > Physics > Statistical Mechanics/Thermodynamics
Depositing User: simon saunders
Date Deposited: 21 Apr 2024 00:05
Last Modified: 21 Apr 2024 00:05
Item ID: 23306
Subjects: General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Classical Physics
General Issues > Decision Theory
General Issues > Determinism/Indeterminism
General Issues > Explanation
Specific Sciences > Probability/Statistics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
General Issues > Realism/Anti-realism
Specific Sciences > Physics > Statistical Mechanics/Thermodynamics
Date: 19 April 2024
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/23306

Monthly Views for the past 3 years

Monthly Downloads for the past 3 years

Plum Analytics

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item