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Physics versus Semantics: A Puzzling Case of the Missing Quantum Theory

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Abstract

A case for the project of excising of confusion and obfuscation in the contemporary quantum theory initiated and promoted by David Deutsch has been made. It has been argued that at least some theoretical entities which are conventionally labelled as “interpretations” of quantum mechanics are in fact full-blooded physical theories in their own right, and as such are falsifiable, at least in principle. The most pertinent case is the one of the so-called “Many-Worlds Interpretation” (MWI) of Everett and others. This set of idea differs from other “interpretations” since it does not accept reality of the collapse of Schrödinger’s wavefunction. A survey of several important proposals for discrimination between quantum theories with and without wavefunction collapse appearing from time to time in the literature has been made, and the possibilities discussed in the framework of a wider taxonomy.

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  1. Astronomical Observatory Belgrade, Volgina 7, 11160, Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro, Yugoslavia

    Milan M. Ćirković

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  1. Milan M. Ćirković
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Ćirković, M.M. Physics versus Semantics: A Puzzling Case of the Missing Quantum Theory. Found Phys 35, 817–838 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10701-005-4566-5

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