Quantum Superpositions Do Exist! But 'Quantum Physical Reality is different to Actuality' (Reply to Dieks and Griffiths)

TL;DR

This paper argues that quantum superpositions are fundamental to understanding quantum reality, challenging orthodox views that dismiss their physical reality, and advocates for a realist interpretation that accepts superpositions as representing reality beyond actuality.

Contribution

It introduces a representational realist perspective that treats quantum superpositions as physically real, countering orthodox and interpretational dismissals, and emphasizes their importance for quantum technology.

Findings

Quantum superpositions are essential for quantum information processing.

Orthodox interpretations often deny the physical reality of superpositions.

A realist view supports superpositions as representing a form of reality beyond actuality.

Abstract

In this paper we analyze the definition of quantum superpositions within orthodox Quantum Mechanics (QM) and their relation to physical reality. We will begin by discussing how the metaphysical presuppositions imposed by Bohr on the interpretation of QM have become not only interpretational dogmas which constrain the limits of the present Orthodox Line of Research (OLR), but also how these desiderata implicitly preclude the possibility of developing a physical representation of quantum superpositions. We will then continue analyzing how most interpretations of QM argue against the existence of superpositions. Firstly, we will focus on those interpretations which attempt to recover a classical representation about "what there is", and secondly, we will concentrate on the arguments provided by Dieks and Griffiths who, staying close to the orthodox formalism, also attempt to "get rid of the ghost of Schrodinger's cat". Contrary to the OLR, we will argue -based on our definition of Meaningful Physical Statements (MPS)- that from a representational realist perspective which stays close to the orthodox Hilbert space formalism, quantum superpositions are not only the key to the most important -present and future- technological and experimental developments in quantum information processing but also, they must be considered as the kernel of any interpretation of QM that attempts to provide a physical representation of reality. We will also argue that the price to pay for such representational realist development must be the abandonment of the (dogmatic) idea that 'Actuality = Reality'.