Analysis of quantum probability theory. I (Q580324)

The author offers a new analysis of quantum theory, by means of which, as he claims, he is able to handle certain technical difficulties in quantum field theory and quantum statistical mechanics. Earlier treatments by philosophers of physics, e.g. van Fraassen's analysis, suffer from the following limitation: they assume that there are pure states. There are, however, physical examples which do not admit pure states. The aim of the paper is to overcome the technical difficulty which is associated with this feature. The author's analysis of quantum theory differs from earlier analyses mainly with respect to `sorting' physical systems. In the latter, it is assumed that a procedure for sorting systems sorts them according to their pre-existing properties, such as energy. The author argues that a procedure of that kind is not appropriate in the case of quantum physics. According to him, a physical notion, e.g. energy, is a theoretical guide to sorting, rather than a property of the system. So, in his analysis there is a nonrealist undertone and he is arguing against realism in contexts of this kind. In his new analysis, the author uses counterfactual conditionals and such basic concepts as `physical property', `physical system', `physical possibility' and `actuality', and `conditional probability'. The author states several reasons for his claim that pure states are not indispensable in an analysis of quantum theory. His own analysis is published as a separate paper, however.