Independently Motivating the Kochen—Dieks Modal Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 8399203 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Rob Clifton (Western University, corresponding author) |
| Year | 1995 |
| Volume | 46 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 33-57 |
| Publication date | 1995-03-01 |
| 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/46.1.33 |
| OpenAlex | W2039879119 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 3 |
| References cited | 11 |
The distinguishing feature of ‘modal’ interpretations of quantum mechanics is their abandonment of the orthodox eigenstate–eigenvalue rule, which says that an observable possesses a definite value if and only if the system is in an eigenstate of that observable. Kochen's and Dieks' new biorthogonal decomposition rule for picking out which observables have definite values is designed specifically to overcome the chief problem generated by orthodoxy's rule, the measurement problem, while avoiding the no-hidden-variable theorems. Otherwise, their new rule seems completely ad hoc.The ad hoc charge can only be laid to rest if there is some way to give Kochen's and Dieks' rule for picking out which observables have definite values some independent motivation. And there is, or so I will argue here. Specifically, I shall show that theirs is the only rule able to save Schrödinger's cat from a fate worse than death, and sidestep the Bell–Kochen–Specker no-hidden-variables theorem, once we impose four independently natural conditions on such rules
Eigenvalues and eigenvectors · Hidden variable theory · Kochen–Specker theorem · Mathematical economics · Modal · Observable · Physics · Quantum · Quantum mechanics · Superselection · Theoretical physics · Advanced Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics · Mathematics · Philosophy and History of Science · Quantum Mechanics and Applications
| Unique citing works | 3 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0,1 |
| Citation span | 1995 - 2010 (16) |
| Citation velocity | historical |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 3 |