Classical-Quantum Coexistence: a `Free Will' Test

Abstract

Von Neumann's statistical theory of quantum measurement interprets the instantaneous quantum state and derives instantaneous classical variables. In realty, quantum states and classical variables coexist and can influence each other in a time-continuous way. This has been motivating investigations since longtime in quite different fields from quantum cosmology to optics as well as in foundations. Different theories (mean-field, Bohm, decoherence, dynamical collapse, continuous measurement, hybrid dynamics, e.t.c.) emerged for what I call `coexistence of classical continuum with quantum'. I apply to these theories a sort of `free will' test to distinguish `tangible' classical variables useful for causal control from useless ones.

7pp, based on talk at Conf. on Emergent Quantum Mechanics, Heinz von Foerster Congress (Vienna University, Nov 11-13, 2011)

References in corpus (6)

• Continuous quantum measurement and Itô formalism
• The Free Will Theorem
• Pure-state quantum trajectories for general non-Markovian systems do not exist
• Non-Markovian continuous quantum measurement of retarded observables
• Quantum-classical interactions and measurement: a consistent description using statistical ensembles on configuration space
• General linear dynamics - quantum, classical or hybrid

Cited by in corpus (8)

• Principle of least decoherence for Newtonian semi-classical gravity
• Hybrid Quantum-Classical Master Equations
• Discrete mechanics, time machines and hybrid systems
• Proliferation of observables and measurement in quantum-classical hybrids
• Quantum-classical hybrid dynamics - a summary
• Is spontaneous wave function collapse testable at all?
• Spontaneous Wave Function Collapse with Frame Dragging and Induced Gravity
• Are Quantum-Classical Hybrids compatible with Ontological Cellular Automata?