The Wentaculus: Density Matrix Realism Meets the Arrow of Time
- URL: http://arxiv.org/abs/2211.03973v1
- Date: Tue, 8 Nov 2022 03:02:12 GMT
- Title: The Wentaculus: Density Matrix Realism Meets the Arrow of Time
- Authors: Eddy Keming Chen
- Abstract summary: Wentaculus is a new approach to time's arrow in a quantum universe.
On the Wentaculus, the quantum state of the universe is sufficiently simple to be a law, and the arrow of time can be traced back to an exact boundary condition.
- Score: 0.0
- License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
- Abstract: Two of the most difficult problems in the foundations of physics are (1) what
gives rise to the arrow of time and (2) what the ontology of quantum mechanics
is. They are difficult because the fundamental dynamical laws of physics do not
privilege an arrow of time, and the quantum-mechanical wave function describes
a high-dimensional reality that is radically different from our ordinary
experiences.
In this paper, I characterize and elaborate on the ''Wentaculus'' theory, a
new approach to time's arrow in a quantum universe that offers a unified
solution to both problems. Central to the Wentaculus are (i) Density Matrix
Realism, the idea that the quantum state of the universe is objective but can
be impure, and (ii) the Initial Projection Hypothesis, a new law of nature that
selects a unique initial quantum state. On the Wentaculus, the quantum state of
the universe is sufficiently simple to be a law, and the arrow of time can be
traced back to an exact boundary condition. It removes the intrinsic vagueness
of the Past Hypothesis, eliminates the Statistical Postulate, provides a higher
degree of theoretical unity, and contains a natural realization of ''strong
determinism.'' I end by responding to four recent objections. In a companion
paper, I elaborate on Density Matrix Realism.
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