{"title":"The Decoherent Arrow of Time and the Entanglement Past Hypothesis","authors":"Jim Al-Khalili, Eddy Keming Chen","doi":"10.1007/s10701-024-00785-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10701-024-00785-3","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>If an asymmetry in time does not arise from the fundamental dynamical laws of physics, it may be found in special boundary conditions. The argument normally goes that since thermodynamic entropy in the past is lower than in the future according to the Second Law of Thermodynamics, then tracing this back to the time around the Big Bang means the universe must have started off in a state of very low thermodynamic entropy: the <i>Thermodynamic Past Hypothesis</i>. In this paper, we consider another boundary condition that plays a similar role, but for the decoherent arrow of time, i.e. the subsystems of the universe are more mixed in the future than in the past. According to what we call the <i>Entanglement Past Hypothesis</i>, the initial quantum state of the universe had very low entanglement entropy. We clarify the content of the Entanglement Past Hypothesis, compare it with the Thermodynamic Past Hypothesis, and identify some challenges and open questions for future research.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":569,"journal":{"name":"Foundations of Physics","volume":"54 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2024-07-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11227449/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141557768","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Addendum to ‘On the Nonreality of the PBR Theorem’: Disproof by Generic Counterexample","authors":"Marcoen J. T. F. Cabbolet","doi":"10.1007/s10701-024-00780-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10701-024-00780-8","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The PBR theorem is widely seen as one of the most important no-go theorems in the foundations of quantum mechanics. Recently, in Cabbolet (Found Phys 53(3):64, 2023), it has been argued that there is no reality to the PBR theorem using a pair of bolts as a counterexample. In this addendum we expand on the argument: we disprove the PBR theorem by a generic counterexample, and we put the finger on the precise spot where Pusey, Barrett, and Rudolph have made a tacit assumption that is false.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":569,"journal":{"name":"Foundations of Physics","volume":"54 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2024-07-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141568097","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Correction: Quantum Mechanics Based on an Extended Least Action Principle and Information Metrics of Vacuum Fluctuations","authors":"Jianhao M. Yang","doi":"10.1007/s10701-024-00782-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10701-024-00782-6","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":569,"journal":{"name":"Foundations of Physics","volume":"54 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2024-07-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10701-024-00782-6.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141675848","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Quantum Reconstructions as Stepping Stones Toward ψ-Doxastic Interpretations?","authors":"Philipp Berghofer","doi":"10.1007/s10701-024-00778-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10701-024-00778-2","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>In quantum foundations, there is growing interest in the program of reconstructing the quantum formalism from clear physical principles. These reconstructions are formulated in an operational framework, deriving the formalism from information-theoretic principles. It has been recognized that this project is in tension with standard <i>ψ-ontic</i> interpretations. This paper presupposes that the quantum reconstruction program (QRP) (i) is a worthwhile project and (ii) puts pressure on <i>ψ-ontic</i> interpretations. Where does this leave us? Prima facie, it seems that <i>ψ-epistemic</i> interpretations perfectly fit the spirit of information-based reconstructions. However, <i>ψ-epistemic</i> interpretations, understood as saying that the wave functions represents one’s <i>knowledge</i> about a physical system, recently have been challenged on technical and conceptual grounds. More importantly, for some researchers working on reconstructions, the lesson of successful reconstructions is that the wave function does <i>not</i> represent objective facts about the world. Since knowledge is a factive concept, this speaks against epistemic interpretations. In this paper, I discuss whether <i>ψ-doxastic</i> interpretations constitute a reasonable alternative. My thesis is that if we want to engage QRP with <i>ψ-doxastic</i> interpretations, then we should aim at a reconstruction that is spelled out in non-factive experiential terms.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":569,"journal":{"name":"Foundations of Physics","volume":"54 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2024-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10701-024-00778-2.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141551017","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Does Locality Imply Reality of the Wave Function? Hardy’s Theorem Revisited","authors":"Shan Gao","doi":"10.1007/s10701-024-00781-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10701-024-00781-7","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Hardy’s <span>(psi)</span>-ontology theorem proves the reality of the wave function under the assumption of restricted ontic indifference. It has been conjectured that restricted ontic indifference, which is a very strong assumption from the <span>(psi)</span>-epistemic view, can be derived from two weaker sub-assumptions: an ontic state assumption and a locality assumption. However, Leifer argued that this derivation cannot go through when considering the existence of the vacuum state in the second-quantized description of quantum states. In this paper, I present a new analysis of Hardy’s theorem. First, I argue that the ontic state assumption is valid in the second-quantized description of quantum states. Second, I argue that the locality assumption is a locality assumption for product states and it is weaker than the preparation independence assumption of the PBR theorem. Third, I argue that Leifer’s objection to the derivation of restricted ontic indifference is invalid. Finally, I argue that although the vacuum state is irrelevant, the existence of the tails of the wave function will block the derivation of restricted ontic indifference from the ontic state assumption and the locality assumption.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":569,"journal":{"name":"Foundations of Physics","volume":"54 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2024-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141524901","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Comment on Aurélien Drezet’s Defense of Relational Quantum Mechanics","authors":"Jay Lawrence, Marcin Markiewicz, Marek Żukowski","doi":"10.1007/s10701-024-00784-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10701-024-00784-4","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Aurélien Drezet has attempted in Found. Phys. <b>54</b>(1), 5 (2023) to defend Relational Quantum Mechanics (RQM) against our recent critique, entitled <i>Relational Quantum Mechanics is incompatible with quantum mechanics</i>, published in Quantum <b>7</b>, 1015 (2023). Drezet not only misrepresents our work, but he also misconstructs the very theory (RQM) that he claims to defend.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":569,"journal":{"name":"Foundations of Physics","volume":"54 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2024-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10701-024-00784-4.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141531947","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A Case Study for Leibnizian Ideas in Wolfram Model","authors":"Furkan Semih Dündar","doi":"10.1007/s10701-024-00777-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10701-024-00777-3","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>We study implications of Leibnizian ideas such as the identity of indiscernibles, and variety (due to Barbour and Smolin) in the context of Wolfram Model, which has been put forward in 2020. We have provided (at the moment) speculative interpretations for Leibnizian and non-Leibnizian hypergraphs. We introduced an action based on variety, to select paths where it is maximized. The specific universe which is of concern here is the one with name ‘wm1268’ from the Registry of Notable Universe Models, which is used as a test case in the present study.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":569,"journal":{"name":"Foundations of Physics","volume":"54 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2024-06-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141508537","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Has the Problem of the Motion of a Heavy Symmetric Top been Solved in Quadratures?","authors":"Alexei A. Deriglazov","doi":"10.1007/s10701-024-00771-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10701-024-00771-9","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>We have revised the problem of the motion of a heavy symmetric top. When formulating equations of the Lagrange top with the diagonal inertia tensor, the potential energy has more complicated form as compared with that assumed in the literature on dynamics of a rotating body. This implies the corresponding improvements in equations of motion. Using the Liouville’s theorem, we solve the improved equations in quadratures and present the explicit expressions for the resulting elliptic integrals.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":569,"journal":{"name":"Foundations of Physics","volume":"54 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2024-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141508538","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"On the Growing Universe of Causal Set Theory—An Order-Type Approach","authors":"Tomasz Placek, Leszek Wroński","doi":"10.1007/s10701-024-00767-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10701-024-00767-5","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>We investigate a model of becoming—classical sequential growth (CSG)—that has been proposed within the framework of causal sets (causets), with the latter defined as order types of certain partial orderings. To investigate how causets grow, we introduce special sequences of causets, which we call “csg-paths”. We prove a number of results concerning relations between csg-paths and causets. These results paint a highly non-trivial picture of csg-paths. There are uncountably many csg-paths, all of them sharing the same beginning, after which they branch. Every infinite csg-path achieves in the limit an infinite causet, and vice versa, every infinite causet is achieved in the limit by an infinite csg-path. However, coalescing csg-paths, i.e., ones that achieve the same causet even after forking off at some point, are ubiquitous.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":569,"journal":{"name":"Foundations of Physics","volume":"54 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2024-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10701-024-00767-5.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141508539","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pooya Farokhi, Tim Koslowski, Pedro Naranjo, Antonio Vassallo
{"title":"A de Broglie–Bohm Model of Pure Shape Dynamics: N-Body system","authors":"Pooya Farokhi, Tim Koslowski, Pedro Naranjo, Antonio Vassallo","doi":"10.1007/s10701-024-00776-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10701-024-00776-4","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>We provide the construction of a de Broglie–Bohm model of the <i>N</i>-body system within the framework of Pure Shape Dynamics. The equation of state of the curve in shape space is worked out, with the instantaneous shape being guided by a wave function. In order to get a better understanding of the dynamical system, we also give some numerical analysis of the 3-body case. Remarkably enough, our simulations typically show the attractor-driven behaviour of complexity, well known in the classical case, thereby providing further evidence for the claim that the arrow of complexity is the ultimate cause of the experienced arrow of time.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":569,"journal":{"name":"Foundations of Physics","volume":"54 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2024-06-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10701-024-00776-4.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141508540","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}