A topos perspective on the Kochen-Specker theorem: II. Conceptual Aspects, and Classical Analogues:

TL;DR

This paper explores a topos-theoretic approach to valuing physical quantities, providing conceptual insights and classical analogues, thereby broadening the understanding of the Kochen-Specker theorem.

Contribution

It introduces a novel valuation method using sieves in topos theory, applicable to both quantum and classical physics, and offers new conceptual and axiomatic perspectives.

Findings

Valuations can arise naturally in classical physics.

The approach offers new insights into the Kochen-Specker theorem.

Axioms for partial truth apply to both classical and quantum propositions.

Abstract

In a previous paper, we have proposed assigning as the value of a physical quantity in quantum theory, a certain kind of set (a sieve) of quantities that are functions of the given quantity. The motivation was in part physical---such a valuation illuminates the Kochen-Specker theorem; and in part mathematical---the valuation arises naturally in the topos theory of presheaves. This paper discusses the conceptual aspects of this proposal. We also undertake two other tasks. First, we explain how the proposed valuations could arise much more generally than just in quantum physics; in particular, they arise as naturally in classical physics. Second, we give another motivation for such valuations (that applies equally to classical and quantum physics). This arises from applying to propositions about the values of physical quantities some general axioms governing partial truth for any kind of proposition.