Why the wave function, of all things?

TL;DR

This paper questions the traditional interpretive role of the wave function in quantum mechanics, proposing a new perspective based on the non-partitioned nature of physical space and alternative interpretive principles.

Contribution

It demonstrates the consistency of quantum correlation laws without relying on the wave function as a physical entity, introducing a new interpretive principle based on space indeterminacy.

Findings

Quantum correlation laws are consistent with their correlata without the wave function as a physical entity.

Physical space is not partitioned 'all the way down', affecting interpretive approaches.

A new interpretive principle replaces the eigenvalue-eigenstate link, with implications for quantum interpretation.

Abstract

There are reasons to doubt that making sense of the wave function (other than as a probability algorithm) will help with the project of making sense of quantum mechanics. The consistency of the quantum-mechanical correlation laws with the existence of their correlata is demonstrated. The demonstration makes use of the fact (which is implied by the indeterminacy principle) that physical space is not partitioned "all the way down," and it requires that the eigenvalue-eigenstate link be replaced by a different interpretive principle, whose implications are explored.