Time-symmetric boundary conditions and quantum foundations

TL;DR

This paper explores a time-symmetric boundary condition approach to classical fields, revealing contextuality that parallels quantum phenomena and challenges traditional views on measurement and realism.

Contribution

It introduces a novel time-symmetric boundary condition framework for classical fields, providing insights into quantum contextuality and interpretations.

Findings

Time-symmetric BCs lead to field contextuality.

Bypasses arguments against realistic quantum interpretations.

Parallels classical field behavior with quantum phenomena.

Abstract

Despite the widely-held premise that initial boundary conditions (BCs) corresponding to measurements/interactions can fully specify a physical subsystem, a literal reading of Hamilton's principle would imply that both initial and final BCs are required (or more generally, a BC on a closed hypersurface in spacetime). Such a time-symmetric perspective of BCs, as applied to classical fields, leads to interesting parallels with quantum theory. This paper will map out some of the consequences of this counter-intuitive premise, as applied to covariant classical fields. The most notable result is the contextuality of fields constrained in this manner, naturally bypassing the usual arguments against so-called "realistic" interpretations of quantum phenomena.