Systematizing the Interpretation of Quantum Theory via Reconstruction

• URL: http://arxiv.org/abs/2512.18002v1
• Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2025 19:01:47 GMT
• Title: Systematizing the Interpretation of Quantum Theory via Reconstruction
• Abstract summary: I argue that a major hindrance to the project of quantum interpretation is its existing interpretative methodologies.<n>I propose that an interpretation-free zone be constructed around the theory.
• Score: 0.0
• License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
• Abstract: For a century, quantum theory has posed a fundamental challenge to philosophical thinking. On its face, it repudiates many of the key features of the mechanical conception of physical reality. However, the challenge of developing a precise, coherent alternative to that conception has yet to be met. Here, I argue that a major hindrance to the project of quantum interpretation is its existing interpretative methodologies, which suffer from a lack of systematicity in their judgements about what aspects of the theory are interpretational relevant. In particular, I argue that current interpretations tend to marginalize the informal part of the theory in favour of its formal part, and place inappropriate emphasis on the natural language component of the formalism over its detailed mathematical structure. To counterbalance these biases, I propose that an interpretation-free zone be constructed around the theory, wherein an interpreter initially adopt a descriptive stance which considers all parts of the theory, and that the results of this deliberation~(and the judgements about what facts are interpretationally relevant) are reported as part of their interpretation. I argue that the interpretation of quantum theory poses special challenges and difficulties which necessitate this interpretation-free zone, and that existing interpretative methodologies are insufficient to address them. Further, I argue that a reconstructive interpretative methodology, which harnesses the recent results of the quantum reconstruction program, provides a powerful means to identify almost all facts that could be interpretationally relevant, and naturally meets these challenges and difficulties. Moreover, I argue that the quantum reconstruction program offers a powerful way to discover new physical principles, and offers a systematic pathway to build a rich, coherent conception of quantum reality.

Related papers

• Understanding Quantum Theory: An Operational Reconstructive Approach [0.0]
  One hundred years after the creation of quantum theory, there is no consensus on the kind of reality that is described by the theory.<n>The prevailing methodology offers little protection against undue influence by metaphysically-laden language.<n>I describe the reconstruction of the identical particle formalism, and its step-by-step interpretation.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2026-04-01T16:21:45Z)
• An Introduction to the Foundations and Interpretations of Quantum Mechanics [0.0]
  This article surveys key conceptual and interpretational developments in quantum mechanics.<n>It traces the theory from its foundational postulates to discussions of measurement, nonlocality, and the emergence of classicality.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2026-03-10T15:44:47Z)
• Towards a Generalized Theory of Observers [41.94295877935867]
  We argue that observers serve as indispensable reference points for measurement, reference frames, and the emergence of meaning.<n>We show how this formalism sheds new light on debates related to consciousness, quantum measurement, and computational boundaries.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2025-04-22T19:35:55Z)
• Myths around quantum computation before full fault tolerance: What no-go theorems rule out and what they don't [26.492914629332002]
  We revisit and critically evaluate prevailing viewpoints on the capabilities and limitations of near-term quantum computing.<n>We highlight viable near-term applications and synergies between error mitigation and early fault-tolerant architectures.<n>We aim to underscore the importance of continued innovation in hardware and algorithmic design to bridge the gap between theoretical potential and practical utility.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2025-01-10T03:54:59Z)
• Event-based quantum contextuality theory [9.808029647992774]
  This paper overcomes the challenges faced by some known contextuality theories by establishing an event-based contextuality theory.<n>Our theory provides a precise mathematical framework for quantum contextuality, which can handle the scenarios composed of general projectors.<n>We conclude that the Kochen-Specker contextuality is equivalent to the state-independent strong contextuality for finite dimensional quantum systems.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2024-10-21T08:55:43Z)
• Relaxation of first-class constraints and the quantization of gauge theories: from "matter without matter" to the reappearance of time in quantum gravity [72.27323884094953]
  We make a conceptual overview of an approach to the initial-value problem in canonical gauge theories. We stress how the first-class phase-space constraints may be relaxed if we interpret them as fixing the values of new degrees of freedom.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2024-02-19T19:00:02Z)
• The Measurement Problem Is a Feature, Not a Bug--Schematising the Observer and the Concept of an Open System on an Informational, or (Neo-)Bohrian, Approach [0.0]
  I argue that quantum mechanics represents what Bohr called a natural generalisation of the ordinary causal description'' I show how the quantum generalisation of the concept of an open system may be used to assuage Einstein's complaint.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2023-08-31T00:19:04Z)
• Unraveling the Mystery of Quantum Measurement with A New Space-Time Approach to Relativistic Quantum Mechanics [9.116661570248171]
  Quantum measurement is a fundamental concept in the field of quantum mechanics. Despite its significance, four fundamental issues continue to pose significant challenges to the broader application of quantum measurement. We employ a new space-time approach to relativistic quantum mechanics to address these issues systematically.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2023-06-01T13:25:08Z)
• A new interpretation of quantum theory, based on a bundle-theoretic view of objective idealism [0.0]
  The 'weirdness' of quantum theory can be understood to derive from a vanishing distinguishability of indiscernible particles. The claim is made that quantum theory can be interpreted in an intelligible way by positing a bundle-theoretic view of objective idealism instead of materialism.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2022-08-22T12:15:04Z)
• Fact-nets: towards a mathematical framework for relational quantum mechanics [0.0]
  The relational interpretation of quantum mechanics (RQM) has received a growing interest since its first formulation in 1996. This paper proposes a radical reformulation of the mathematical framework of quantum mechanics which is relational from the start: fact-nets.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2022-04-01T10:27:38Z)
• Quantum realism: axiomatization and quantification [77.34726150561087]
  We build an axiomatization for quantum realism -- a notion of realism compatible with quantum theory. We explicitly construct some classes of entropic quantifiers that are shown to satisfy almost all of the proposed axioms.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2021-10-10T18:08:42Z)
• The operational framework for quantum theories is both epistemologically and ontologically neutral [0.0]
  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.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2021-09-06T09:22:43Z)
• The Real Meaning of Quantum Mechanics [0.0]
  We suggest a contextual realist interpretation of relational quantum mechanics. The principal point is a correct understanding of the concept of reality. Within our interpretation, consciousness of the observer does not play any metaphysical role.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2021-07-20T19:44:50Z)
• Preferred basis, decoherence and a quantum state of the Universe [77.34726150561087]
  We review a number of issues in foundations of quantum theory and quantum cosmology. These issues can be considered as a part of the scientific legacy of H.D. Zeh.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2020-06-28T18:07:59Z)

This list is automatically generated from the titles and abstracts of the papers in this site.

This site does not guarantee the quality of this site (including all information) and is not responsible for any consequences.