Confusion about the thermal interpretation's account of measurement

In summary, the conversation discusses two different interpretations of quantum mechanics, known as the first and second story. The first story involves a macroscopic superposition arising from the linearity of the Schrödinger equation, while the second story involves a reduced density matrix and a deterministic evolution of the detector's position. The second story can be explained within the formal core of quantum mechanics, but the thermal interpretation provides a better understanding of individual cases. The fuss about interpretations stems from the assumption that macroscopic systems can be described by a pure state, which the thermal interpretation refutes. The second story cannot solve the measurement problem, as it still relies on the eigenvalue link to measurement. The thermal interpretation, on the other
  • #71
A. Neumaier said:
Within the thermal interpretation it is considered to be in a mixed state. Indeed, the experimental record tells us that the universe has a positive temperature, whereas no temperature can be assigned to a pure state.
What is considered to be in a mixed state? The entire universe? Well, why not?
 
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  • #72
vanhees71 said:
What is considered to be in a mixed state? The entire universe?
yes, its state was under discussion. Assigning to the universe a temperature distribution (microwave background) means that the state of the universe is approximately a local equilibrium state and hence a mixed state.
 
  • #73
Well, the microwave background temperature is a very much coarse grained observable. It's about the large-scale "average" structure of the universe, described by an FLRW metric using the above considered assumption of the cosmological principle to extrapolate it to "the entire (observable) universe". In this sense it's a paradigmatic example for the concept to consider coarse-graining to understand the classical behavior of macroscopic observables of a many-body system.
 
<h2>1. What is the thermal interpretation's account of measurement?</h2><p>The thermal interpretation's account of measurement is a theory that explains how the act of measurement can affect the state of a physical system. It suggests that when a measurement is made, the system being measured becomes entangled with the measuring device, causing a change in its thermal state.</p><h2>2. How does the thermal interpretation's account of measurement differ from other measurement theories?</h2><p>The thermal interpretation's account of measurement differs from other theories, such as the Copenhagen interpretation, in that it does not rely on the concept of wavefunction collapse. Instead, it explains the change in the system's state as a result of entanglement with the measuring device.</p><h2>3. Can the thermal interpretation's account of measurement be tested?</h2><p>Yes, the thermal interpretation's account of measurement can be tested through experiments that measure the thermal state of a system before and after a measurement is made. If the state of the system changes after measurement, it would support the theory.</p><h2>4. What are the implications of the thermal interpretation's account of measurement?</h2><p>The thermal interpretation's account of measurement has implications for our understanding of the nature of reality and the role of consciousness in measurement. It suggests that the act of measurement is not a passive observation, but an active interaction that affects the state of the system being measured.</p><h2>5. Is the thermal interpretation's account of measurement widely accepted?</h2><p>The thermal interpretation's account of measurement is still a topic of debate among scientists and philosophers. While some find it to be a compelling explanation for the measurement problem in quantum mechanics, others argue that it raises further questions and may not fully address all aspects of the problem.</p>

1. What is the thermal interpretation's account of measurement?

The thermal interpretation's account of measurement is a theory that explains how the act of measurement can affect the state of a physical system. It suggests that when a measurement is made, the system being measured becomes entangled with the measuring device, causing a change in its thermal state.

2. How does the thermal interpretation's account of measurement differ from other measurement theories?

The thermal interpretation's account of measurement differs from other theories, such as the Copenhagen interpretation, in that it does not rely on the concept of wavefunction collapse. Instead, it explains the change in the system's state as a result of entanglement with the measuring device.

3. Can the thermal interpretation's account of measurement be tested?

Yes, the thermal interpretation's account of measurement can be tested through experiments that measure the thermal state of a system before and after a measurement is made. If the state of the system changes after measurement, it would support the theory.

4. What are the implications of the thermal interpretation's account of measurement?

The thermal interpretation's account of measurement has implications for our understanding of the nature of reality and the role of consciousness in measurement. It suggests that the act of measurement is not a passive observation, but an active interaction that affects the state of the system being measured.

5. Is the thermal interpretation's account of measurement widely accepted?

The thermal interpretation's account of measurement is still a topic of debate among scientists and philosophers. While some find it to be a compelling explanation for the measurement problem in quantum mechanics, others argue that it raises further questions and may not fully address all aspects of the problem.

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