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The Physics and Philosophy of Time Reversal in Standard Quantum Mechanics

Lopez, Cristian (2021) The Physics and Philosophy of Time Reversal in Standard Quantum Mechanics. Synthese. ISSN 1573-0964

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Abstract

A widespread view in physics holds that the implementation of time reversal in
standard quantum mechanics must be given by an anti-unitary operator. In
foundations and philosophy of physics, however, there has been some discussion
about the conceptual grounds of this orthodoxy, largely relying on either its
obviousness or its mathematical-physical virtues. My aim in this paper is to
substantively change the traditional structure of the debate by highlighting the
philosophical commitments underlying the orthodoxy. I argue that the persuasive
force of the orthodoxy can benefit from a relational metaphysics of time and a
by-stipulation view on symmetries. Within such philosophical background, I
submit, the orthodoxy of time reversal in standard quantum mechanics could find
a fertile terrain to lay the groundwork for a more thorough conceptual
justification.


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Item Type: Published Article or Volume
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Lopez, Cristiancristian.lopez@unil.ch0000-0002-2883-4037
Keywords: quantum mechanics, time reversal, anti-unitarity, relationalism, symmetry.
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Physics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Symmetries/Invariances
Depositing User: Dr. Cristian Lopez
Date Deposited: 07 Jan 2025 13:36
Last Modified: 07 Jan 2025 13:36
Item ID: 24488
Journal or Publication Title: Synthese
Publisher: Springer (Springer Science+Business Media B.V.)
Official URL: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11229-0...
DOI or Unique Handle: 10.1007/s11229-021-03420-0
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Physics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Symmetries/Invariances
Date: 30 September 2021
ISSN: 1573-0964
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/24488

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