On the consistency of the consistent histories approach to quantum mechanics

DOI10.1007/S10701-013-9760-2zbMATH Open1291.81014arXiv1301.2586OpenAlexW3101389048MaRDI QIDQ2015106FDOQ2015106

Authors: E. Okon, Daniel Sudarsky 

Publication date: 18 June 2014

Published in: Foundations of Physics (Search for Journal in Brave)

Abstract: The Consistent Histories (CH) formalism aims at a quantum mechanical framework which could be applied even to the universe as a whole. CH stresses the importance of histories for quantum mechanics, as opposed to measurements, and maintains that a satisfactory formulation of quantum mechanics allows one to assign probabilities to alternative histories of a quantum system. It further proposes that each realm, that is, each set of histories to which probabilities can be assigned, provides a valid quantum-mechanical account, but that different realms can be mutually incompatible. Finally, some of its proponents offer an "evolutionary" explanation of our existence in the universe and of our preference for quasiclassical descriptions of nature. The present work questions the validity of claims offered by CH proponents asserting that it solves many interpretational problems in quantum mechanics. In particular, we point out that the interpretation of the framework leaves vague two crucial points, namely, whether realms are fixed or chosen and the link between measurements and histories. Our claim is that by doing so, CH overlooks the main interpretational problems of quantum mechanics. Furthermore, we challenge the evolutionary explanation offered and we critically examine the proposed notion of a realm-dependent reality.

Full work available at URL: https://arxiv.org/abs/1301.2586

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zbMATH Keywords

consistent historiesdecoherent historiesquantum cosmologyconsistent quantum theory

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

General and philosophical questions in quantum theory (81P05) Relativistic cosmology (83F05) Alternative quantum mechanics (including hidden variables, etc.) (81Q65)

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Cited In (20)

• Branch dependence in the ``Consistent histories approach to quantum mechanics
• The measurement process in the generalized contexts formalism for quantum histories
• Quantum histories and correlations in quantum measurements
• Self-decoherence criterion of consistency for quantum histories
• Quantum histories without contrary inferences
• Histories in quantum mechanics: distinguishing between formalism and interpretation
• Consistent histories and the interpretation of quantum mechanics
• On the relationship between modelling practices and interpretive stances in quantum mechanics
• Contrary quantum histories and contrary inferences
• Less decoherence and more coherence in quantum gravity, inflationary cosmology and elsewhere
• Measurements according to consistent histories
• On the consistent histories approach to quantum mechanics.
• Consistent histories of systems and measurements in spacetime
• Contrary inferences in consistent histories and a set selection criterion
• Consistent quantum measurements
• The consistent histories formalism and the measurement problem
• Eternal inflation and collapse theories
• Interpretations of quantum theory in the light of modern cosmology
• Bohmian mechanics and consistent histories.
• Probability sum rules and consistent quantum histories

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