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Could wavefunctions simultaneously represent knowledge and reality?

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Jonte HanceORCiD

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Abstract

In discussion of the interpretation of quantum mechanics the terms ‘ontic’ and ‘epistemic’ are often used in the sense of pertaining to what exists, and pertaining to cognition or knowledge respectively. The terms are also often associated with the formal definitions given by Harrigan and Spekkens for the wavefunction in quantum mechanics to be �ψ-ontic or �ψ-epistemic in the context of the ontological models framework. The formal definitions are contradictories, so that the wavefunction can be either ψ�-epistemic or ψ �-ontic but not both. However, we argue, nothing about the informal ideas of epistemic and ontic interpretations rules out wavefunctions representing both reality and knowledge. The implications of the Pusey–Barrett–Rudolph theorem and many other issues may be rethought in the light of our analysis.

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Author(s): Hance JR, Rarity J, Ladyman J

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Quantum Studies: Mathematics and Foundations

Year: 2022

Volume: 9

Pages: 333-341

Print publication date: 01/08/2022

Online publication date: 27/04/2022

Acceptance date: 01/04/2022

Date deposited: 08/04/2024

ISSN (print): 2196-5609

ISSN (electronic): 2196-5617

Publisher: Birkhaeuser Science

URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40509-022-00271-3

DOI: 10.1007/s40509-022-00271-3

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