Life in Configuration Space
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 8398147 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Peter J Lewis (0009-0000-0005-7400, University of Miami, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2004 |
| Volume | 55 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Pages | 713-729 |
| Publication date | 2004-12-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0007-0882 • E-ISSN: 1464-3537 |
| Publisher | Oxford University Press (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1093/bjps/55.4.713 |
| OpenAlex | W2150576607 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 19 |
| References cited | 7 |
This paper investigates the tenability of wavefunction realism, according to which the quantum mechanical wavefunction is not just a convenient predictive tool, but is a real entity figuring in physical explanations of our measurement results. An apparent difficulty with this position is that the wavefunction exists in a many-dimensional configuration space, whereas the world appears to us to be three-dimensional. I consider the arguments that have been given for and against the tenability of wavefunction realism, and note that both the proponents and the opponents assume that quantum mechanical configuration space is many-dimensional in exactly the same sense in which classical space is three-dimensional. I argue that this assumption is mistaken, and that configuration space can be taken as three-dimensional in a relevant sense. I conclude that wavefunction realism is far less problematic than it has been taken to be. 1. Introduction 2. Non-separability 3. The instantaneous solution 4. The dynamical solution 5. Invariance 6. What is configuration space, anyway? 7. Conclusion
Classical mechanics · Configuration space · Epistemology · Physics · Position (finance) · Quantum · Quantum dynamics · Quantum mechanics · Quantum process · Realism · Space (punctuation) · Theoretical physics · Wave function · Wave function collapse · Biofield Effects and Biophysics · Computer Science · Philosophy · Philosophy and History of Science · Quantum Mechanics and Applications
Muchos mundos bohmianos
The irreducibility of chemistry to Everettian quantum mechanics
Probability in GRW theory
Interpreting spontaneous collapse theories
Quantum mechanics, time and ontology
Bohmian mechanics without wave function ontology
Against Radical Quantum Ontologies
David Bohm’s philosophy of science in his causal interpretation of quantum mechanics
Finding the world in the wave function
What is a wavefunction
Functionalising the wavefunction
Does an Adequate Physical Theory Demand a Primitive Ontology
Quantum Mechanics and 3 N -Dimensional Space
Monism
Grounded Shadows, Groundless Ghosts
Quantum Mechanics on Spacetime I
Empty Waves in Bohmian Quantum Mechanics
Realism about the wave function
GRW
| Unique citing works | 19 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0,9 |
| Citation span | 2005 - 2025 (21) |
| Citation velocity | recent |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 18 |