Quantum Mechanics in a Time-Asymmetric Universe: On the Nature of the Initial Quantum State

Abstract

In a quantum universe with a strong arrow of time, we postulate a low-entropy boundary condition (the Past Hypothesis) to account for the temporal asymmetry. In this paper, I show that the Past Hypothesis also contains enough information to simplify the quantum ontology and define a natural initial condition. First, I introduce Density Matrix Realism, the thesis that the quantum state of the universe is objective and impure. This stands in sharp contrast to Wave Function Realism, the thesis that the quantum state of the universe is objective and pure. Second, I suggest that the Past Hypothesis is sufficient to determine a natural density matrix, which is simple and unique. This is achieved by what I call the Initial Projection Hypothesis: the initial density matrix of the universe is the (normalized) projection onto the Past Hypothesis subspace (in the Hilbert space). Third, because the initial quantum state is unique and simple, we have a strong case for the Nomological Thesis: the initial quantum state of the universe is on a par with laws of nature. This new package of ideas has several interesting implications, including on the harmony between statistical mechanics and quantum mechanics, theoretical unity of the universe and the subsystems, and the alleged conflict between Humean supervenience and quantum entanglement.

Minor changes to conform to the published version

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Cited by in corpus (18)

• Fundamental Nomic Vagueness
• Realism about the Wave Function
• The Open Systems View and the Everett Interpretation
• Analogue Quantum Simulation: A New Instrument for Scientific Understanding
• Understanding probability and irreversibility in the Mori-Zwanzig projection operator formalism
• From Time Asymmetry to Quantum Entanglement: The Humean Unification
• Time's Arrow in a Quantum Universe: On the Status of Statistical Mechanical Probabilities
• Is the Statistical Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics $\psi$-Ontic or $\psi$-Epistemic?
• Strong Determinism
• The Decoherent Arrow of Time and the Entanglement Past Hypothesis
• Uniform Probability Distribution Over All Density Matrices
• The Cosmic Void
• Causal nonseparability and its implications for spatiotemporal relations
• The Simplicity of Physical Laws
• Decoherence, Branching, and the Born Rule in a Mixed-State Everettian Multiverse
• The metaphysics of decoherence
• Typical Quantum States of the Universe are Observationally Indistinguishable
• On measuring the Quantum Universe