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Measurements and Quantum States: Part I

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 March 2022

Henry Margenau
Henry Margenau*
Affiliation:
Yale University
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Abstract

Although there is a complete consensus among working physicists with respect to the practical and operational meanings of quantum states, and also a rather loosely formulated general philosophic view called the Copenhagen interpretation, a great deal of confusion and divergence of opinions exist as to the details of the measurement process and its effects upon quantum states. This paper reviews the current expositions of the measurement problem, limiting itself for lack of space primarily to the writings of physicists; it calls attention to inconsistencies and proposes resolutions. Except for a summary of the properties of statistical matrices which are needed in Part II, the first part is non-mathematical and deals largely with two kinds of probability, reducible and irreducible probabilities, which need to be distinguished for a proper understanding of the measurement act.

Type
Research Article
Information
Philosophy of Science , Volume 30 , Issue 1 , January 1963 , pp. 1 - 16
Copyright
Copyright © Philosophy of Science Association 1963

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Footnotes

Part II of this essay is to appear in the succeeding issue of Philosophy of Science.

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