How Alice, long before her time, derived the principles of quantum mechanics

TL;DR

This paper presents a philosophical argument that the core principles of quantum mechanics can be derived from logical and algebraic considerations related to measurement, without relying on quantum-specific properties.

Contribution

It introduces a novel perspective that quantum principles emerge from formalising measurement within a classical framework, challenging traditional quantum foundations.

Findings

Quantum principles can be derived from measurement formalisation.

Core structures of quantum mechanics are independent of atomic properties.

Classical theories can incorporate quantum-like measurement limitations.

Abstract

This philosophical dialogue explores the idea that the foundational principles of quantum mechanics need not be interpreted as describing a new physics, but may instead arise from the logical necessity of formalising the act of measurement within a coherent algebraic framework. By pushing this perspective to its extreme, the dialogue argues that the core structures of quantum mechanics can be derived independently of any specifically quantum properties of atomic particles, and can be formulated within an otherwise classical theory once limitations of observability and measurement context are taken seriously.