Lecture
LTP Lecture "Philosophy of quantum theory: Why all the options are puzzling"
- Date
- Thursday 16 November 2023
- Time
- Series
- Past events 2023/2024
- Location
-
Gravensteen
Pieterskerkhof 6
2311 SR Leiden - Room
- 1.11
The Leiden University Centre Theoretical Philosophy is pleased to announce a lecture by Dr. Simon Friedrich, Associate Professor of Philosophy of Science at Groningen University and Academic Director of Humanities at University College Groningen.
Abstract
In this talk, I present three different puzzles, one for each of the three major avenues of interpreting quantum theory: Everettian ("many worlds"), anti-realist ("Copenhagenian"), and "hidden variables." I also explore the prospects for solving these puzzles.
For the Everett interpretation, the puzzle I consider is why the modulus squared of the wave function should play the role of probability. As a candidate response, I consider a proposal by Charles Sebens and Sean Carroll based on "self-locating belief" theory, but I argue that it fails. For the anti-realist avenue, the puzzle I consider is whether it really makes sense to assume, as many anti-realists do, that some function of position and momentum has a value whereas position and momentum themselves don't. In response, I consider whether the idea that we live in a computer simulation might help us by providing a model for how such talk may make sense. For the hidden variables avenue, the puzzle I consider is how any interpretation that assigns simultaneous sharp values to position and momentum can possibly be empirically adequate. I sketch how Bohmian mechanics avoids this problem and how the Bohmian solution is mirrored in a new approach through phase space that has recently been proposed by two Melbourne physicists, which has better prospects for being compatible with relativity theory.
Attendance at the lectures is free, and there is no need to register. For further questions, please contact Dr. Catharine Diehl at c.e.diehl@phil.leidenuniv.nl
All are welcome!