Quantum theoretical concepts of measurement: Part I

Philosophy of Science 35 (3):205-231 (1968)
  Copy   BIBTEX

Abstract

The overall purpose of this paper is to clarify the physical meaning and epistemological status of the term 'measurement' as used in quantum theory. After a review of the essential logical structure of quantum physics, Part I presents interpretive discussions contrasting the quantal concepts observable and ensemble with their classical ancestors along the lines of Margenau's latency theory. Against this background various popular ideas concerning the nature of quantum measurement are critically surveyed. The analysis reveals that, in addition to internal mathematical difficulties, all the so-called quantum theories of measurement are grounded in unjustifiable, classical presuppositions

Categories

Keywords

Reprint years

DOI

10.1086/288210

Links

PhilArchive



    Upload a copy of this work     Papers currently archived: 92,682

External links

Setup an account with your affiliations in order to access resources via your University's proxy server

Through your library

My notes

Similar books and articles

From Micro to Macro: A Solution to the Measurement Problem of Quantum Mechanics.Jeffrey Bub - 1988 - PSA: Proceedings of the Biennial Meeting of the Philosophy of Science Association 1988:134 - 144.
On the theory of measurement in quantum mechanical systems.I. I. I. Durand - 1960 - Philosophy of Science 27 (2):115-133.
On the applicability of the quantum measurement formalism.Hasok Chang - 1997 - Erkenntnis 46 (2):143-163.
Probability theories in general and quantum theory in particular.L. Hardy - 2003 - Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part B: Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics 34 (3):381-393.
Measurements and quantum states: Part II.Henry Margenau - 1963 - Philosophy of Science 30 (2):138-157.
The Problem of Measurement - Real or Imaginary?Nicholas Maxwell - 1973 - American Journal of Physics 41:1022-5.
Does the Minimal Statistical Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics Resolve the Measurement Problem?Nicholas Maxwell - 1975 - Methodology and Science 8:84-101.
Measurements and quantum states: Part I.Henry Margenau - 1963 - Philosophy of Science 30 (1):1-16.
Towards a Micro Realistic Version of Quantum Mechanics, Part I.Nicholas Maxwell - 1976 - Foundations of Physics 6 (3):275-292.
Quantum theoretical concepts of measurement: Part II.James L. Park - 1968 - Philosophy of Science 35 (4):389-411.

Analytics

Added to PP
2009-01-28

Downloads
470 (#42,207)

6 months
12 (#239,586)

Historical graph of downloads
How can I increase my downloads?

Citations of this work

Heuristics and the generalized correspondence principle.Hans Radder - 1991 - British Journal for the Philosophy of Science 42 (2):195-226.
A laplacean formal semantics for single-case propensities.Ronald N. Giere - 1976 - Journal of Philosophical Logic 5 (3):321 - 353.
The concept of transition in quantum mechanics.James L. Park - 1970 - Foundations of Physics 1 (1):23-33.
The empirical determination of quantum states.William Band & James L. Park - 1970 - Foundations of Physics 1 (2):133-144.

View all 14 citations / Add more citations

References found in this work

The two concepts of probability: The problem of probability.Rudolf Carnap - 1945 - Philosophy and Phenomenological Research 5 (4):513-532.
Critical points in modern physical theory.Henry Margenau - 1937 - Philosophy of Science 4 (3):337-370.
Measurements and quantum states: Part II.Henry Margenau - 1963 - Philosophy of Science 30 (2):138-157.
On the process of measurement in quantum mechanics.P. Jordan - 1949 - Philosophy of Science 16 (4):269-278.

Add more references