Abstract
Relational Blockworld (RBW) is an interpretation of quantum mechanics based on the path integral approach to physics. In the path integral approach, quantum mechanics is couched in spacetime rather than 3N-dimensional configuration space, since the path integral computation of a probability amplitude is based on a particular outcome in spacetime. That is, instead of using Schrӧdinger’s equation to time-evolve the wave function in the 3N-dimensional configuration space of all possible outcomes, one uses the Feynman path integral to compute the probability amplitude for a specific outcome in spactime. In such a spatiotemporal or least action approach, time-evolved dynamical explanation is replaced with a spatiotemporally global constraint, e.g., Fermat’s principle says that a light ray takes the path of least time from source to sink. The mysteries of quantum nonlocality are resolved by simply assuming this adynamical explanation in the blockworld is fundamental to dynamical explanation in the mechanical universe. Herein we introduce RBW’s form of adynamical explanation based on spatiotemporal ontological contextuality.
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Notes
- 1.
Space-like separated events means information exchange between the events requires a faster-than-light (aka superluminal) signal. In special relativity, the order of space-like separated events A and B depends on your frame of reference. Suppose Bob sees event A happen before event B. Alice, who is in motion with respect to Bob, can then see event B happen before event A. This is different than time-like separated events (information exchange between the events can be done with a slower-than-light signal) where all observers agree on the temporal order, regardless of their relative motion.
- 2.
The term “source” is used here in the quantum field theory context, i.e., it refers to sources and sinks of energy/momentum. We should note that these beables don’t exist autonomously from measurement as Bell conceived of them.
- 3.
By “classical context” we mean the model of objective reality obtained using classical physics, e.g., general relativity.
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Stuckey, W.M., Silberstein, M., McDevitt, T. (2017). Space, Time, and Adynamical Explanation in the Relational Blockworld. In: Wuppuluri, S., Ghirardi, G. (eds) Space, Time and the Limits of Human Understanding. The Frontiers Collection. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-44418-5_16
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