Quantum theory is not only about information

TL;DR

This paper critically examines Jeff Bub's information-theoretic interpretation of quantum theory, arguing it fails to fully explain quantum nonlocality and correlations, and discusses the limitations of alternative interpretations.

Contribution

It provides a critical analysis of Bub's interpretation, highlighting its shortcomings in explaining quantum phenomena and evaluating other information-based approaches.

Findings

Bub's interpretation fails to fully explain quantum nonlocality.

Constructive interpretations also fall short in explaining quantum correlations.

Epistemic interpretations may succeed but challenge scientific standards.

Abstract

In his recent book Bananaworld. Quantum mechanics for primates, Jeff Bub revives and provides a mature version of his influential information theoretic interpretation of Quantum Theory (QT). In this paper, I test Bub s conjecture that QT should be interpreted as a theory about information, by examining whether his information theoretic interpretation has the resources to explain (or explain away) quantum conundrums. The discussion of Bub s theses will also serve to investigate, more in general, whether other approaches succeed in defending the claim that QT is about quantum information. First of all, I argue that Bub s interpretation of QT as a principle theory fails to fully explain quantum nonlocality. Secondly, I argue that a constructive interpretation, where the quantum state is interpreted ontically as information, also fails at providing a full explanation of quantum correlations. Finally, while epistemic interpretations might succeed in this respect, I argue that such a success comes at the price of rejecting some in between the most basic scientific standards of physical theories.