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Micro-States in the Interpretation of Quantum Theory

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 February 2022

Gary M. Hardegree
Gary M. Hardegree*
Affiliation:
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
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Extract

In the present work, I discuss the interpretation of quantum mechanics (QM) from the viewpoint of quantum logic (QL). I regard the objects of QL to be the possible (accidental) properties that can be ascribed to a quantum system SYS. The basic idea is that, at any given moment t, SYS actualizes some properties, but not others. The micro-state of SYS at time t is identified with the set of all properties that SYS actualizes at time t.

One thing an interpretation of QM is supposed to do, I believe, is delineate the admissible quantum micro-states. Since the characterization of quantum micro-states is intimately related to the characterization of quantum logical consistency, the interpretation of QM is intimately tied to the interpretation of QL.

Two kinds of interpretations are discussed. Strict interpretations are based on the assumption that the properties of a system are individuated by the projection operators on the associated Hilbert space.

Type
Part II. Quantum Logic and the Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics
Information
PSA: Proceedings of the Biennial Meeting of the Philosophy of Science Association , Volume 1980 , Issue 1: Volume One: Contributed Papers 1980 , 1980 , pp. 42 - 54
Copyright
Copyright © 1980 by the Philosophy of Science Association

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