Ontological Determinism non-locality and the system problem in quantum mechanics

TL;DR

This paper explores the measurement problem in quantum mechanics, proposing a new interpretation of decoherence, critiquing the double slit experiment, and emphasizing nonlocality as an inherent ontological feature of the universe's configuration space.

Contribution

It introduces a novel interpretation of quantum decoherence and clarifies the role of nonlocality and determinism in the ontology of quantum mechanics.

Findings

Decoherence can be interpreted in a new way that clarifies the measurement problem.

Nonlocality is an inherent property of the universe's configuration space.

Determinism and nonlocality are disentangled in the ontological framework.

Abstract

Wave functions live on configuration space. Schrodinger called this entanglement. The linearity of the Schrodinger equation prevents the wave function from representing reality. If the equation were non-linear (e.g., reduction models) the wave function living on configuration space still by itself could not represent reality in physical space. In this paper, we continue the line of reasoning discussed in our previous paper, "The Fundamental Importance of Discourse in Theoretical Physics", [arXiv:1001.4111], to explore the "measurement problem" in quantum mechanics. In particular we present a new interpretation of quantum decoherence, and a novel critique of the double slit experiment. In addition, we review the use of "determinism" in the discourse of quantum mechanics, resolving the confusion created by theories which attempt to restore determinism to quantum mechanics while confusing determinism with ontological necessity. Finally, we review Bell's Theorem in order to demonstrate that nonlocality is an inherent ontological quality of the configuration space of the universe regardless of deterministic or non-deterministic character of quantum mechanics.