Reality Without Realism: On the Ontological and Epistemological Architecture of Quantum Mechanics

Abstract

Abstract. First, this article considers the nature of quantum reality (the reality responsible for quantum phenomena) and the concept of realism (our ability to represent this reality) in quantum theory, in conjunction with the roles of locality, causality, and probability and statistics there. Second, it offers two interpretations of quantum mechanics, developed by the authors of this article, the second of which is also a different (from quantum mechanics) theory of quantum phenomena. Both of these interpretations are statistical. The first interpretation, by A. Plotnitsky, "the statistical Copenhagen interpretation," is nonrealist, insofar as the description or even conception of the nature of quantum objects and processes is precluded. The second, by A. Khrennikov, is ultimately realist, because it assumes that the quantum-mechanical level of reality is underlain by a deeper level of reality, described, in a realist fashion, by a model, based in the pre-quantum classical statistical field theory (PCSFT), the predictions of which reproduce those of quantum mechanics. Moreover, because the continuous fields considered in this model are transformed into discrete clicks of detectors, experimental outcomes in this model depend on the context of measurement in accordance with N. Bohr's interpretation and the statistical Copenhagen interpretation, which coincides with N. Bohr's interpretation in this regard.

The Real and the Mathematical in Quantum Modeling: From Principles to Models and from Models to Principles

“…This assumption is also made in non-realist interpretations of quantum mechanics, in the absence of a representation or even (as against the second, non-representational type of realism defined above) conception of the character of this existence. Thus, if realism presupposes a representation or at least a conception of reality, this concept of reality is that of "reality without realism" [9,11]. The assumption of this concept of reality is a principle, the RWR principle.…”

“…The first contains the principles that led to the emergence of quantum mechanics; and the second the principles of quantum information theory, which are, however, in accord with most principles of the first set. I shall be primarily concerned with this first set (apart from the correspondence principle, unique to quantum theory), but will also comment on the second 11 .…”

Reflections on Zeilinger–Brukner Information Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics

“…As all interpretations in the spirit of Copenhagen [17]- [19], the information interpretation is non-realistic (see also [20]). By this interpretation QM is not about features of quantum systems, but about information about these systems gained with the aid of (classical) measurement devices.…”

“…By this interpretation QM is not about features of quantum systems, but about information about these systems gained with the aid of (classical) measurement devices. In [19] it was emphasized that one has to distinguish realism and reality. For example, Bohr used the non-realist interpretation of QM [21], [22], but he definitely did not deny reality of atoms, electrons (and later even photons).…”

“…However, I stress again that Zeilinger's basic principle of quantization of information is questionable. Other Copenhagenists (Bohr, Heisenberg, Pauli, von Neumann) proceeded without it (as well as recently Plotnitsky [19] with his "statistical Copenhagen interpretation" ).…”