What Distinguishes Neo-Copenhagenism from the Copenhagen Interpretation?

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SUMMARY

The discussion clarifies the distinctions between Neo-Copenhagenism and the traditional Copenhagen Interpretation of quantum mechanics. Neo-Copenhagenism, particularly represented by the Consistent Histories framework, eliminates the reliance on observations and instead utilizes a series of projection operators to describe quantum mechanics as a stochastic theory of histories. Additionally, Quantum Bayesianism is identified as a variant of Neo-Copenhagenism, emphasizing a more explicit interpretation of probability while maintaining the core principles of the Copenhagen Interpretation.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of quantum mechanics principles
  • Familiarity with the Copenhagen Interpretation
  • Knowledge of Consistent Histories framework
  • Basic concepts of Bayesian probability theory
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the Consistent Histories framework in quantum mechanics
  • Explore Quantum Bayesianism and its implications for quantum theory
  • Read the Leifer paper titled "Is the quantum state real? A review of ψ-ontology theorems"
  • Investigate various interpretations of quantum mechanics and their philosophical implications
USEFUL FOR

Quantum physicists, students of quantum mechanics, and researchers interested in the philosophical interpretations of quantum theory will benefit from this discussion.

Nick V
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Is it the same thing as the copenhagen interpretation, what's different about it?
 
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Copenhagen has a blemish - namely how does a theory that assumes the existence of a classical world observations appear in explain that world. Neo Copenhagen is an interpretation that fixes that up - the one I know being Consistent Histories:
http://quantum.phys.cmu.edu/CHS/histories.html

It does it by doing away with observations and using the concept of history - which is a series of projection operators. QM in that interpretation is the stochastic theory of histories.

There may be others as well, but its the one I am familiar with.

Lubos also explains it pretty well:
http://motls.blogspot.com.au/2011/05/copenhagen-interpretation-of-quantum.html

Thanks
Bill
 
Well, it seems they still add new flavors to the Copenhagen interpretations. Overexaggerating it a bit: There are as many Copenhagen interpretations as quantum physicists subscribing to that interpretations :-).
 
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vanhees71 said:
Well, it seems they still add new flavors to the Copenhagen interpretations. Overexaggerating it a bit: There are as many Copenhagen interpretations as quantum physicists subscribing to that interpretations :).

That's true as well - and you are only exaggerating a bit.

Most however have observations as the basic primitive and the state that determines the probabilities of the observation as subjective knowledge similar to the Bayesian view of probabilities.

In fact that jogs my memory - Quantum Bayesian can be considered a neo-Copenhagen interpretation:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_Bayesianism

But as far as I can see its really just being explicit about the interpretation of probability used - so I would call it a more careful version of Copenhagen rather than an actual change.

Thanks
Bill
 
Nick V said:
Is it the same thing as the copenhagen interpretation, what's different about it?

It would be helpful if you would tell us the context in which you encountered the phrase. I expect that you found it in the Leifer paper ("Is the quantum state real? A review of ψ-ontology theorems") to which you were referred earlier? If so, Leifer provides a definition, and if you have follow-up questions based on this definition you will have to be more precise about which parts you need help with.

Please don't just repeat your question without doing some studying first.
 

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