Decoherent histories and realism (Q1976763)

The decoherent histories approach to quantum mechanics is critically reviewed especially in connection with interpretational problems. The paper is divided into two main sections: in the first the decoherent histories approach is presented in some detail, focusing on its logical structure; in the second the question of the nature of the probabilities in the approach is considered. It is shown in particular that assumptions, necessary in the author's viewpoint for a realistic interpretation of the probabilities that the formalism attaches to decoherent histories, lead to a logical contradiction in the theory, unless one limits the set of the decoherent families which can be taken into account. It is stressed how a mathematically precise criterion needed in order to characterize an appropriate set of decoherent families, which are physically meaningful and not leading to any contradiction, is still missing. See also the ensuing comment by \textit{R. B. Griffiths} [J. Stat. Phys. 99, No. 5-6, 1409-1425 (2000; Zbl 1010.81501)] and related reply by the authors [J. Stat. Phys. 99, No. 5-6, 1427 (2000; Zbl 1010.81500)].