The operational framework for quantum theories is both epistemologically
and ontologically neutral
- URL: http://arxiv.org/abs/2109.02310v1
- Date: Mon, 6 Sep 2021 09:22:43 GMT
- Title: The operational framework for quantum theories is both epistemologically
and ontologically neutral
- Authors: Laurie Letertre
- Abstract summary: It is argued that there is no argument that could favour realist or antirealist attitudes towards quantum mechanics based solely on some features of some formalism.
Both realist and antirealist views are well accomodable within operational formulations of the theory.
This discussion aims at clarifying the limits of the historical and methodological affinities between scientific antirealism and operational physics.
- Score: 0.0
- License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
- Abstract: Operational frameworks are very useful to study the foundations of quantum
mechanics, and are sometimes used to promote antirealist attitudes towards the
theory. The aim of this paper is to review three arguments aiming at defending
an antirealist reading of quantum physics based on various developments of
standard quantum mechanics appealing to notions such as quantum information,
non-causal correlations and indefinite causal orders. Those arguments will be
discussed in order to show that they are not convincing. Instead, it is argued
that there is conceptually no argument that could favour realist or antirealist
attitudes towards quantum mechanics based solely on some features of some
formalism. In particular, both realist and antirealist views are well
accomodable within operational formulations of the theory. The reason for this
is that the realist/antirealist debate is located at a purely epistemic level,
which is not engaged by formal aspects of theories. As such, operational
formulations of quantum mechanics are epistmologically and ontologically
neutral. This discussion aims at clarifying the limits of the historical and
methodological affinities between scientific antirealism and operational
physics while engaging with recent discoveries in quantum foundations. It also
aims at presenting various realist strategies to account for those
developments.
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