engleski

The Status of the Wave Function in Connection to Theory and Reality

The status of the generally complex valued wave function (or state vector) of non-relativistic quantum mechanics (QM) in connection to both theory and reality is the subject of the following paper. The intention is to consider in one place all that crucially bears to the problem of relating the wave function, and the formalism based on it, to supposed quantum reality, and to provide a discussion of the justification of its use (and therefore the use of general formalism) as it is to be found in literature and as it stands today in my opinion. My main thesis would be that although there is abundant evidence to the claim that the wave function in general cannot be considered as providing a description of anything in physical reality, we have (and since not long ago) a formal proof for using the formalism as based on the generally complex valued wave function. From my conception of realism and of physical theory, which will be espoused, this is thoroughly unsatisfactory. For what we have, is the proof of the legitimacy of using the formalism which cannot be straightforwardly related to the supposed quantum reality, which is what should be desirable, at least from the quite strict, and yet not unjustifiable, realistic point of view I advocate. Thus, it is still an open problem of finding a different formalism which would not use other than real valued quantities to relate to reality, and as such would be considered preferable to the existing one. I review one such attempt. There will also be given for comparison a critical discussion on how the problems surrounding the status of the wave function are seen in some of the major interpretations.

quantum-mechanical wave function ; ontological interpretation ; Einsteinian realism

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