On the nonreality of the PBR theorem

TL;DR

This paper critiques the PBR theorem by arguing that its key measurement assumption is incompatible with Einsteinian quantum mechanics, challenging its foundational significance.

Contribution

It provides a philosophical critique showing that the measurement used in the PBR theorem does not exist within Einsteinian quantum mechanics.

Findings

The PBR theorem relies on a measurement that is non-existent in Einsteinian QM.

The critique questions the universality of the PBR theorem in quantum foundations.

The paper highlights differences between the assumptions of the PBR theorem and Einsteinian views.

Abstract

The PBR theorem has been hailed as one of the most important theorems in the foundations of quantum mechanics (QM), , cf. E. Samuel Reich, "Quantum theorem shakes foundations", Nature (2011). Here we argue that the special measurement, used by Pusey et al. to derive the theorem, is nonexisting from the Einsteinian view on QM.