-epistemic quantum cosmology?

DOI10.1016/J.SHPSB.2016.10.005zbMATH Open1349.83065arXiv1606.07265OpenAlexW2472363785MaRDI QIDQ341583FDOQ341583

Authors: Peter W. Evans, Sean Gryb, Karim P. Y. Thébault 

Publication date: 16 November 2016

Published in: Studies in History and Philosophy of Science. Part B. Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics (Search for Journal in Brave)

Abstract: This paper provides a prospectus for a new way of thinking about the wavefunction of the universe: a $Psi$-epistemic quantum cosmology. We present a proposal that, if successfully implemented, would resolve the cosmological measurement problem and simultaneously allow us to think sensibly about probability and evolution in quantum cosmology. Our analysis draws upon recent work on the problem of time in quantum gravity, upon causally-symmetric local hidden variable theories, and upon a dynamical origin for the cosmological arrow of time. Our conclusion weighs the strengths and weaknesses of the approach and points towards paths for future development.

Full work available at URL: https://arxiv.org/abs/1606.07265

Recommendations

• Quantum cosmology: effective theory
• scientific article; zbMATH DE number 2050838
• When are two wave functions distinguishable: a new answer to Pauli's question, with potential application to quantum cosmology
• Dynamical interpretation of the wavefunction of the universe
• Quantum cosmology with conformally invariant scalar field

zbMATH Keywords

cosmological measurement problemlocal hidden variable theorieswavefunction of the universe

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

Physics (00A79) General and philosophical questions in quantum theory (81P05) Quantum measurement theory, state operations, state preparations (81P15) Relativistic cosmology (83F05) Alternative quantum mechanics (including hidden variables, etc.) (81Q65)

Cites Work

• Quantum Field Theory for Mathematicians
• Quantum Theory of Gravity. I. The Canonical Theory
• Can Quantum-Mechanical Description of Physical Reality Be Considered Complete?
• A Suggested Interpretation of the Quantum Theory in Terms of "Hidden" Variables. I
• Analogue gravity
• Einstein, incompleteness, and the epistemic view of quantum states
• Speakable and unspeakable in quantum mechanics. With an introduction by Alain Aspect
• Scale-invariant gravity: particle dynamics
• Thermodynamics of Spacetime: The Einstein Equation of State
• The Transactional Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics
• Quantum theory of probability and decisions
• Title not available (Why is that?)
• Foundations of Quantum Mechanics
• Title not available (Why is that?)
• On the origin of gravity and the laws of Newton
• The spin-foam approach to quantum gravity
• Title not available (Why is that?)
• Modern Canonical Quantum General Relativity
• Dynamically triangulating Lorentzian quantum gravity
• Relativity and the dimensionality of the world
• Title not available (Why is that?)
• Title not available (Why is that?)
• Time scales for dynamical relaxation to the Born rule
• The ``past hypothesis: not even false
• Einstein gravity as a 3D conformally invariant theory
• Can a future choice affect a past measurement's outcome?
• Probabilities in physics
• Measurement and collapse within the two-state vector formalism
• Title not available (Why is that?)
• Axioms for Euclidean Green's functions
• Problem of time in quantum gravity
• Dynamical origin of quantum probabilities
• Time-symmetric quantum mechanics
• The emergent multiverse. Quantum theory according to the Everett interpretation.
• The role of time in relational quantum theories
• Why gauge?
• Schrödinger evolution for the universe: reparametrization
• Derivation of the Born rule from operational assumptions
• Title not available (Why is that?)
• Lorentzian space-times from parabolic and elliptic systems of PDEs
• Reassessing the Prospects for a Growing Block Model of the Universe
• Title not available (Why is that?)
• Scale-invariant gravity: geometrodynamics
• What is the Problem about the Time‐Asymmetry of Thermodynamics?—A Reply to Price
• The physical gravitational degrees of freedom
• Spin foam models
• Symmetry and evolution in quantum gravity
• The best Humean system for statistical mechanics
• Many worlds: decoherent or incoherent?
• Action duality: A constructive principle for quantum foundations
• Title not available (Why is that?)
• Title not available (Why is that?)
• Quantum probability from subjective likelihood: improving on Deutsch's proof of the probability rule
• Quantum propensities
• A novel interpretation of the Klein-gordon equation

Cited In (2)

• Constructibility of the universal wave function
• Big bang singularity resolution in quantum cosmology

This page was built for publication: \(\Psi\)-epistemic quantum cosmology?

Report a bug (only for logged in users!)Click here to report a bug for this page (MaRDI item Q341583)