TL;DR
This paper addresses the Wigner's friend paradox by proposing a pragmatist interpretation of quantum theory that uses decoherence to support objective descriptions of physical phenomena, independent of consciousness.
Contribution
It introduces a pragmatist interpretation that leverages decoherence and quantum Darwinism to establish objectivity in quantum descriptions without invoking consciousness.
Findings
Agents agree on physical magnitudes despite different perspectives
Quantum Darwinism enables equal observational access in realistic scenarios
Quantum theory does not address consciousness but informs physical claims
Abstract
The paradox of Wigner's friend challenges the objectivity of description in quantum theory. A pragmatist interpretation can meet this challenge by judicious appeal to decoherence. On this interpretation, quantum theory provides situated agents with resources for predicting and explaining what happens in the physical world---not conscious observations of it. Even in Wigner's friend scenarios, differently situated agents agree on the objective content of statements about the values of physical magnitudes. In more realistic circumstances quantum Darwinism also permits differently situated agents equal observational access to evaluate their truth. In this view, quantum theory has nothing to say about consciousness or conscious experiences of observers. But it does prompt us to reexamine the significance even of everyday claims about the physical world.
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