What Distinguishes Neo-Copenhagenism from the Copenhagen Interpretation?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the distinctions between Neo-Copenhagenism and the Copenhagen Interpretation of quantum mechanics. Participants explore theoretical differences, interpretations, and the evolving nature of these concepts within the field of quantum physics.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that Neo-Copenhagenism addresses perceived flaws in the Copenhagen Interpretation, particularly regarding the role of classical observations.
  • One viewpoint highlights Consistent Histories as a Neo-Copenhagen interpretation that replaces observations with a framework of histories and projection operators.
  • Another participant notes the proliferation of interpretations within the Copenhagen framework, suggesting that the number of interpretations may equal the number of physicists who subscribe to them.
  • Quantum Bayesianism is mentioned as a potential Neo-Copenhagen interpretation, with the argument that it clarifies the interpretation of probabilities rather than fundamentally altering the Copenhagen approach.
  • A participant requests clarification on the context of the term "Neo-Copenhagenism," suggesting it may relate to specific literature, such as the Leifer paper on ψ-ontology theorems.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature and implications of Neo-Copenhagenism compared to the Copenhagen Interpretation. There is no consensus on whether Neo-Copenhagenism represents a significant departure or merely a refinement of existing interpretations.

Contextual Notes

Some claims rely on specific interpretations of probability and the role of observations, which may not be universally accepted. The discussion also references external sources that may contain additional definitions and perspectives.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those studying quantum mechanics, particularly in the context of philosophical interpretations and the evolution of quantum theory.

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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