From time asymmetry to quantum entanglement

The Humean unification

Bibliographic Data

ID21364025
AuthorsEddy Keming Chen (0000-0001-5144-0952, University of California San Diego, corresponding author)
Year2022
Volume56
Issue1
Pages227-255
Publication date2022-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueNoûs (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0029-4624 • E-ISSN: 1468-0068
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/nous.12355
OpenAlexW3034429733
LanguageEN
Citations received7
References cited53

Two of the most difficult problems in the foundations of physics are (1) what gives rise to the arrow of time and (2) what the ontology of quantum mechanics is. I propose a unified ‘Humean’ solution to the two problems. Humeanism allows us to incorporate the Past Hypothesis and the Statistical Postulate into the best system, which we then use to simplify the quantum state of the universe. This enables us to confer the nomological status to the quantum state in a way that adds no significant complexity to the best system and solves the “supervenient‐kind problem” facing the original version of the Past Hypothesis. We call the resultant theory the Humean unification . It provides a unified explanation of time asymmetry and quantum entanglement. On this theory, what gives rise to time's arrow is also responsible for quantum phenomena. The new theory has a separable mosaic, a best system that is simple and non‐vague, less tension between quantum mechanics and special relativity, and a higher degree of theoretical and dynamical unity. The Humean unification leads to new insights that can be useful to Humeans and non‐Humeans alike

Arrow of time · Physics · Quantum · Quantum entanglement · Quantum mechanics · Theoretical physics · Unification · Computer Science · Philosophy and History of Science · Quantum Mechanics and Applications · Statistical Mechanics and Entropy