Explaining the unobserved: why quantum mechanics is not only about information
arXiv:quant-ph/0512095 · doi:10.1007/s10701-006-9065-9
Abstract
A remarkable theorem by Clifton, Bub and Halvorson (2003)(CBH) characterizes quantum theory in terms of information--theoretic principles. According to Bub (2004, 2005) the philosophical significance of the theorem is that quantum theory should be regarded as a ``principle'' theory about (quantum) information rather than a ``constructive'' theory about the dynamics of quantum systems. Here we criticize Bub's principle approach arguing that if the mathematical formalism of quantum mechanics remains intact then there is no escape route from solving the measurement problem by constructive theories. We further propose a (Wigner--type) thought experiment that we argue demonstrates that quantum mechanics on the information--theoretic approach is incomplete.
34 Pages
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Cited by in corpus (6)
- How device-independent approaches change the meaning of physical theory
- The quantum-to-classical transition: Bohr's doctrine of classical concepts, emergent classicality, and decoherence
- Quantum theory is not only about information
- "Quantum-states-as-information" meets Wigner's friend: A comment on Hagar and Hemmo
- Quantum to Classical Transition per the Relational Blockworld
- It's a Matter of Principle. Scientific Explanation in Information-Theoretic Reconstructions of Quantum Theory