Barandes, Jacob A. (2025) The Stochastic-Quantum Correspondence. Philosophy of Physics, 3 (1). p. 8. ISSN 2753-5908

Text (Preprint) Stochastic-Quantum_Correspondence36.pdf - Draft Version Download (635kB)

Abstract

This paper argues that every quantum system can be understood as a sufficiently general kind of stochastic process unfolding in an old-fashioned configuration space according to ordinary notions of probability. This argument is based on an exact correspondence between the class of ‘indivisible’ stochastic processes and quantum theory. This new stochastic-quantum correspondence demotes the wave function from a primary ontological ingredient to a secondary mathematical tool, and yields a deflationary account of exotic quantum phenomena, such as interference, decoherence, entanglement, noncommutative observables, and wave-function collapse. At a more practical level, the stochastic-quantum correspondence leads to a novel reconstruction of quantum theory, alongside the Hilbert-space, path-integral, and quasiprobability representations, and also provides a framework for using Hilbert-space methods to formulate highly generic, non-Markovian types of stochastic dynamics, with potential applications throughout the sciences.

---

Export/Citation:

EndNote | BibTeX | Dublin Core | ASCII/Text Citation (Chicago) | HTML Citation | OpenURL

Social Networking:

Share |

---

Item Type:	Published Article or Volume
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Barandes, Jacob A. jacob_barandes@harvard.edu 0000-0002-3740-4418
Keywords:	quantum mechanics, quantum theory, stochastic processes, quantum foundations, philosophy of quantum mechanics, interpretations of quantum mechanics
Subjects:	General Issues > Determinism/Indeterminism General Issues > Laws of Nature Specific Sciences > Physics Specific Sciences > Probability/Statistics Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics Specific Sciences > Physics > Symmetries/Invariances
Depositing User:	Dr. Jacob Barandes
Date Deposited:	01 Feb 2026 13:24
Last Modified:	01 Feb 2026 13:24
Item ID:	28060
Journal or Publication Title:	Philosophy of Physics
Publisher:	LSE Press
Official URL:	https://doi.org/10.31389/pop.186
DOI or Unique Handle:	10.31389/pop.186
Subjects:	General Issues > Determinism/Indeterminism General Issues > Laws of Nature Specific Sciences > Physics Specific Sciences > Probability/Statistics Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics Specific Sciences > Physics > Symmetries/Invariances
Date:	30 June 2025
Page Range:	p. 8
Volume:	3
Number:	1
ISSN:	2753-5908
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/28060

Available Versions of this Item

• The Stochastic-Quantum Correspondence. (deposited 19 Feb 2023 13:42)
  • The Stochastic-Quantum Correspondence. (deposited 20 Feb 2023 14:29)
    • The Stochastic-Quantum Correspondence. (deposited 04 Sep 2023 18:48)
      • The Stochastic-Quantum Correspondence. (deposited 01 Feb 2026 13:24) [Currently Displayed]

Monthly Views for the past 3 years

Monthly Downloads for the past 3 years

Plum Analytics

Altmetric.com

Actions (login required)

View Item