HackerPapers

arXiv:1301.1069quant-ph

A Snapshot of Foundational Attitudes Toward Quantum Mechanics

Maximilian Schlosshauer, Johannes Kofler, Anton Zeilinger

Abstract

Foundational investigations in quantum mechanics, both experimental and theoretical, gave birth to the field of quantum information science. Nevertheless, the foundations of quantum mechanics themselves remain hotly debated in the scientific community, and no consensus on essential questions has been reached. Here, we present the results of a poll carried out among 33 participants of a conference on the foundations of quantum mechanics. The participants completed a questionnaire containing 16 multiple-choice questions probing opinions on quantum-foundational issues. Participants included physicists, philosophers, and mathematicians. We describe our findings, identify commonly held views, and determine strong, medium, and weak correlations between the answers. Our study provides a unique snapshot of current views in the field of quantum foundations, as well as an analysis of the relationships between these views.

arXiv comments
17 pages, 3 figures
Journal reference
Stud. Hist. Phil. Mod. Phys. 44, 222-230 (2013)
DOI
doi:10.1016/j.shpsb.2013.04.004
Subjects
quant-phQuantum Physics physics.hist-phHistory and Philosophy of Physics

On Hacker News

Linked by 7 identifiable commenters in 7 comments across 7 threads, from Nov 2014 to May 2024. Found in 2 HN submissions from Jan 2013 to Nov 2016. Open submission discussions.

Comments linking this paper, per year.

Discussed in comments7 threads

  1. Brain Uses Quantum Effects, New Study Finds [video] 1 comment

    • Conclusively was probably too strong of a word, as there are technically still two ways to get hidden variables to work: 1) If we allow information to be non-local, i.e. we allow information to travel instananeously. Allowing this would just be such a hit to the foundation of…

      Fourier864View on HNParent context

  2. What is a photon? (2017) 1 comment

    • Unfortunately, like all such descriptions, this one misses the mark also. I've never heard a good explanation for what a photon "is", or any particle for that matter. That's because physicists don't know either. No, seriously. Ask a randomly selected set of physicists about any…

      jiggawattsView on HNParent context

  3. Quantum observers with knowledge of quantum mechanics break reality 1 comment

    • > Among the physicists who do care about the different QM interpretations, it is my understanding that most would go with the Everett (AKA "Many Worlds) Interpretation these days. In a small poll at a conference on the foundations of quantum mechanics in 2011, the Copenhagen…

      abeppuView on HNParent context

  4. The Scientific Case for P≠NP 1 comment

    • Anyone who defends the Copenhagen interpretation. To be more precise, anyone who thinks that the "measurement problem" is still an unresolved problem, or anyone who defends the concept of "wave function collapse" as having any scientific or pedagogical merit whatsoever, except…

      lisperView on HNParent context

  5. Quantum effects in relatively large systems 1 comment

    • Here is a paper about a poll of physicists. http://arxiv.org/abs/1301.1069 Question 12: What is your favorite interpretation of quantum mechanics? Top Three: Copenhagen: 42% Information-based/information-theoretical: 24% Everett (many worlds and/or many minds): 18%

      e2e8View on HNParent context

  6. Interpretations of quantum theory: A map of madness 1 comment

    • I think this is a well observed phenomenon [1],[2]. At least in the theoretical quantum group I am in: there is very little agreement about the interpretation of quantum theory. (Maybe the experimentalists don't care as much.) [1]…

      mathgeniusView on HNParent context

  7. Have We Been Interpreting Quantum Mechanics Wrong This Whole Time? 1 comment

    • Many Worlds is a far, far more popular interpretation than Bohm[1]. The strong objection to Many Worlds is not that macroscopic objects cannot be in superposition. There are many objections [2], but the principal one is the difficulty of deriving the Born Rule. This is a deep…

      millstoneView on HNParent context

Submitted to Hacker News

Connected through shared HN threads, not inferred similarity or a recommendation.