Quantum theory as a principle theory: insights from an information-theoretic reconstruction
arXiv:1707.05602 · doi:10.1017/9781316759745.013
Abstract
We give a condensed and accessible summary of a recent derivation of quantum theory from information-theoretic principles, and use it to study the consequences of this and other reconstructions for our conceptual understanding of the quantum world. Since these principles are to a large extent expressed in computational terminology, we argue that the hypothesis of "physics as computation", if suitably interpreted, attains surprising explanatory power. Similarly as Jeffrey Bub and others, we conclude that quantum theory should be understood as a "principle theory of information", and we regard this view as a partial interpretation of quantum theory. We outline three options for completion into a full-fledged interpretation of quantum theory, but argue that, despite their interpretational agnosticism, the principled reconstructions pose a challenge for existing psi-ontic interpretations. We also argue that continuous reversible time evolution can be understood as a characteristic property of quantum theory, offering a possible answer to Chris Fuchs' search for a "glimpse of quantum reality".
13 pages, 2 figures, invited contribution to forthcoming book by S. Fletcher and M. Cuffaro (ed.), "Physical Perspectives on Computation, Computational Perspectives on Physics", Cambridge University Press
References in corpus (3)
Cited by in corpus (8)
- Understanding quantum mechanics: a review and synthesis in precise language
- Probabilistic Theories and Reconstructions of Quantum Theory (Les Houches 2019 lecture notes)
- Ideas Abandoned en Route to QBism
- Quantum Reconstructions as Stepping Stones toward Psi-Doxastic Interpretations?
- Putting probabilities first. How Hilbert space generates and constrains them
- Computational Complexity and the Nature of Quantum Mechanics
- Defending the Quantum Reconstruction Program
- Quantum theory is not only about information