On a foundational conceptual principle of quantum mechanics

TL;DR

This paper critiques Zeilinger's principle of quantum information, proposing instead that quantum properties arise from contextuality and causality, offering a more realistic foundation for understanding quantum correlations.

Contribution

It replaces Zeilinger's idealistic principle with a realistic principle of contextuality, explaining quantum properties and correlations through causality and measurement context.

Findings

Quantum correlations are causally related, not non-local.

Properties depend on measurement context, not intrinsic attributes.

Contextuality provides a realistic explanation for quantization.

Abstract

We argue that Anton Zeilinger's "foundational conceptual principle" for quantum mechanics according to which an elementary system carries one bit of information is an idealistic principle, which should be replaced by a realistic principle of contextuality. Specific properties of quantum systems are a consequence of impossibility to speak about them without reference to the tools of their observation (identification) and, consequently, context in which these tools are applied. In particular, the assumption of non-locality is not required to explain quantum correlation. Correlated quantum events are related with each other in a causal way. But this is not classical, but quantum causality expressed by an entangled wave function. This or that particular correlation does not arise in measurement; in measurement it is identified in context. In contrast to Zeilinger's proposed principle of quantization of information, the principle of contextuality explains it realistically.