Misleading signposts along the de Broglie-Bohm road to quantum mechanics

TL;DR

This paper reviews the de Broglie--Bohm theory of quantum mechanics, highlighting its conceptual clarity and mathematical integrity, while addressing misleading signs that can cause confusion among its proponents and critics.

Contribution

It provides a clear roadmap to navigate the conceptual landscape of de Broglie--Bohm theory and clarifies common misconceptions.

Findings

De Broglie--Bohm theory has high conceptual clarity and mathematical integrity.

Misleading signposts often cause confusion among proponents and critics.

The paper offers guidance to better understand and interpret the theory.

Abstract

Eighty years after de Broglie's, and a little more than half a century after Bohm's seminal papers, the de Broglie--Bohm theory (a.k.a. Bohmian mechanics), which is presumably the simplest theory which explains the orthodox quantum mechanics formalism, has reached an exemplary state of conceptual clarity and mathematical integrity. No other theory of quantum mechanics comes even close. Yet anyone curious enough to walk this road to quantum mechanics is soon being confused by many misleading signposts that have been put up, and not just by its detractors, but unfortunately enough also by some of its proponents. This paper outlines a road map to help navigate ones way.