11. A. R. P. Rau, Quantum Interpretations

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Volume 19: Pages 414-421, 2006

Quantum Interpretations

A. R. P. Rau 1

1Department of Physics and Astronomy, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 708034001, U.S.A.

Difficulties and discomfort with the interpretation of quantum mechanics are due to differences in language between it and classical physics. Analogies to the special theory of relativity, which also required changes in the basic worldview and language of nonrelativistic classical mechanics, may help in absorbing the changes called for by quantum physics. There is no need to invoke extravagances such as the manyworlds interpretation or specify a central role for consciousness or neural microstructures. The simple, but basic, acceptance that what is meant by the state of a physical system is different in quantum physics from what it is in classical physics goes a long way in explaining its seeming peculiarities.

Keywords: quantum paradoxes, Schrödinger's cat, manyworlds interpretation, state of a physical system, alternative representations, transformation theory, quasiclassical concepts, elements of physical reality, decoherence, entanglement, EinsteinPodolskyRosen puzzle

Received: December 22, 2005; Published Online: December 15, 2008