Psi Epistemicism & the Reality of Particles & Atoms

[bohm2]

In both MWI and dBB, the wave function is not a wave in spacetime , it is a wave in Hilbert space.

This is the reason why Einstein believed that the wave function was epistemic and not ontic. If the wave function is an ontic entity that evolves in configuration space, what then is the status of configuration space? Does that imply that configuration space must also be "real"?

 

[Nick V]

The wave function exists only in Hilbert space, so yes, it is real only in Hilbert space in Ψ-ontic proposals such as MWI and dBB.

Then how come on the Wave Function wiki page under the ontology section, it says that Everett (created MWI) says that the wave function must be physically real.

 

[atyy]

This is the reason why Einstein believed that the wave function was epistemic and not ontic. If the wave function is an ontic entity that evolves in configuration space, what then is the status of configuration space? Does that imply that configuration space must also be "real"?

The configuration space (Hilbert space) is real in dBB. It's not much different from the extra-dimensions of string theory.

 

[atyy]

Then how come on the Wave Function wiki page under the ontology section, it says that Everett (created MWI) says that the wave function must be physically real.

Because real and physically real mean the same thing, whereas you are making a distinction that I don't understand.

 

[Nick V]

Because real and physically real mean the same thing, whereas you are making a distinction that I don't understand.

Oh ok. So, the Hilbert space is real in MWI as well, correct?

 

[atyy]

Oh ok. So, the Hilbert space is real in MWI as well, correct?

Yes. Real just means that it exists even after you die.

 

[Nugatory]

It is time to close this thread, as it is becoming clear that the thread starter is just picking quotations out of papers that he has either not read completely or does not understand.