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H. Dieter Zeh replied to the topic Are there any pressing problems? in the forum Panel Discussion 8 years, 4 months ago
Dear Jiri,
I think my answer to your modified QM is contained in my last sentence above.
The empirically well established wave function that I am referring to is defined in configuration space, and hence nonlocal. If it is used consistently (as in decoherence theory), you may call it “real” (if you like). Indeed, individual states of isolated…[Read more]
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H. Dieter Zeh started the topic Are there any pressing problems? in the forum Panel Discussion 8 years, 4 months ago
I am a bit surprised that most participants of this workshop argue as though they never heard about decoherence. After all, decoherence describes all phenomena that were traditionally attributed to a collapse of the wave function – a process that was genuinely meant to solve the measurement problem. It does so (in its way) in terms of the…[Read more]
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H. Dieter Zeh replied to the topic Consistency of the Everett ‘world branching’ in the forum Everett's theory 8 years, 5 months ago
The irreversible “dislocalization of superpositions” over many degrees of freedom (decoherence) is an objective process that leads to dynamically automous “branches”. This does not require any bipartition. However, since this dislocalization does not eliminate the superposition globally, its importance for what we observe can only arise from the…[Read more]
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H. Dieter Zeh replied to the topic Consistency of the Everett ‘world branching’ in the forum Everett's theory 8 years, 5 months ago
I tried to emphasize that – similar to Everett – I am assuming the existence of fundamental “observer” systems, which need only be vaguely known to be localized somewhere in the brain for this purpose. (It would be great if you could find out more about them!) All other subsystems are a matter of convenience, and usually chosen as local systems,…[Read more]
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H. Dieter Zeh replied to the topic Consistency of the Everett ‘world branching’ in the forum Everett's theory 8 years, 5 months ago
Dear Miroljub,
my point was that your arguments regarding definitions are correct but irrelevant for the measurement problem in terms of Everett. Nothing ever “branches” objectively in any definition. Instead of repeating my arguments let me invite you to read pp. 14-15 and pp. 18-19 of my first reference.
We may simply be discussing different…[Read more]
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H. Dieter Zeh replied to the topic Consistency of the Everett ‘world branching’ in the forum Everett's theory 8 years, 5 months ago
Dear Miroljub,
you are certainly right that concepts like entanglement or decoherence depend on an arbitrary definition of
systems
(subsystems of the universe). Therefore, branches cannot (and need not) be exactly defined; these branches are merely a matter of convenience.
What IS important is a concept of local observers that is compatible…[Read more]
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H. Dieter Zeh started the topic Moderating Remarks in the forum Everett's theory 8 years, 5 months ago
Shan suggested me for the Chair on Everett’s interpretation of QT, but, unfortunately, I will hardly be available during the first half of July. So I hope he will act as a Moderator himself during this time if required.
Let me make a few ´´moderating remarks´´ to begin with, however: IMO one should never discuss this interpretation in the sense…[Read more]
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H. Dieter Zeh replied to the topic What are the most pressing problems? and how to solve them? in the forum Panel Discussion 8 years, 7 months ago
Mark, I hope your proposal and its relation to the empirical world and to our generally quite successful concepts and theories (including quantum mechanics) will be further discussed and explained in the main workshop.
Regarding its classification, my “hidden variables” were certainly meant to be understood in a causal picture (which you seem to…[Read more]
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H. Dieter Zeh replied to the topic What are the most pressing problems? and how to solve them? in the forum Panel Discussion 8 years, 7 months ago
One more re-Mark: If you presume the path integral, you certainly presume the wave function (or the SPP). But what is its interpretation if you also presume hidden variables?
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H. Dieter Zeh replied to the topic What are the most pressing problems? and how to solve them? in the forum Panel Discussion 8 years, 7 months ago
Mark, I don’t understand your model sufficiently (and it would not be my job) to define its meaning and intentions, but you have already indicated what you may have in mind. (That’s enough for a tentative classification.) So I am not yet ready for a discussion in detail, but I wonder how you describe or explain your “events” (and their pro…[Read more]
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H. Dieter Zeh replied to the topic What are the most pressing problems? and how to solve them? in the forum Panel Discussion 8 years, 7 months ago
Thanks, Ruth – although I did not recognize a universal ontic wave function that explains definite measurement outcomes.
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H. Dieter Zeh replied to the topic What are the most pressing problems? and how to solve them? in the forum Panel Discussion 8 years, 7 months ago
Thanks, Ruth, your second paragraph is precisely what I tried to suggest and what hopefully will help us not to misunderstand each other. Can you recommend a paper (or part thereof) where the transactional model is generally defined (if possible without relying on pedagogical examples a la Wheeler-Feynman, that is, without using classical…[Read more]
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H. Dieter Zeh replied to the topic What are the most pressing problems? and how to solve them? in the forum Panel Discussion 8 years, 8 months ago
There is indeed considerable confusion about the most pressing problems of quantum theory and, depending on them, their possible solutions. It is even more unfortunate that this confusion seems to be accompanied by a certain amount of prejudice (for or against some kinds of proposals). Since it seems that statements starting with ”I believe that ……[Read more]
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H. Dieter Zeh replied to the topic Non-local beables in the forum
John Bell Workshop 2014 8 years, 11 months ago
Dear Lee,
thanks for your response, which may help at least to locate the source of our disagreement a bit better. So here are a few further remarks in reply.
You may call it a hypothesis that I am using an ontic interpretation for the wave function (superposition) – very similar as in collapse theories, for example. However, I think that there…[Read more]
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H. Dieter Zeh replied to the topic Non-local beables in the forum
John Bell Workshop 2014 8 years, 11 months ago
Dear Lee,
could it be that you are just asking the wrong questions about quantum physics? Unfortunately you did not provide us with an example. As far as I know David Albert’s papers, he has mainly reformulated the traditional prejudice against Many Worlds.Regarding Everett, let me suggest a variation of an often quoted remark by John B…[Read more]
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H. Dieter Zeh replied to the topic Bell on Bell’s theorem: The changing face of nonlocality in the forum
John Bell Workshop 2014 8 years, 11 months ago
There seems still to be some confusion about terminology (such as the meaning of nonlocality and reality). So I also hope that the authors will clarify terms for their purpose. However, the situation apears completely clear in the Everett picture if based on decoherence, while the concept of relative states makes sense only with respect to…[Read more]
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H. Dieter Zeh replied to the topic Non-local beables in the forum
John Bell Workshop 2014 8 years, 11 months ago
Dear Lee,
that looks like a very ambitious program. I shall try to have a closer look (even though I am not very optimistic). Perhaps you have a brief outline of its basic ideas somewhere?
In your second paragraph you seem to be referring to Bohm. In Everett’s Many Worlds there are no trajectories.
Best wishes,
Dieter - Load More