Abstract
IN CLASSICAL MECHANICS, the dynamical variables of a system are represented by real-valued functions on a phase space of generalized position and momentum variables and form a commutative algebra, so determinate — definite, sharp — values can be assigned simultaneously to a 11 the dynamical variables. In the case of quantum mechanics, the dynamical variables — so-called ‘observables’ — form a non-commutative algebra, represented as an operator algebra on a Hilbert space, and the non-commutativity is such that values cannot be assigned simultaneously to all dynamical variables without violating some of the functional relations between commuting dynamical variables. The interpretation problem for quantum mechanics is how to understand this.
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© 1996 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
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Bub, J. (1996). Complementarity and the Orthodox (Dirac-von Neumann) Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics. In: Clifton, R. (eds) Perspectives on Quantum Reality. The University of Western Ontario Series in Philosophy of Science, vol 57. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-015-8656-6_16
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-015-8656-6_16
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
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