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Relativistic Invariance and Modal Interpretations

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2022

John Earman  and
Laura Ruetsche
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Abstract

A number of arguments have been given to show that the modal interpretation of ordinary nonrelativistic quantum mechanics cannot be consistently extended to the relativistic setting. We find these arguments inconclusive. However, there is a prima facie reason to think that a tension exists between the modal interpretation and relativistic invariance; namely, the best candidate for a modal interpretation adapted to relativistic quantum field theory, a prescription due to Rob Clifton (2000), comes out trivial when applied to a number of systems of physical interest. However, it is far from clear whether this difficulty for the modal interpretation is traceable to relativistic invariance per se or to the infinite number of degrees of freedom involved. In any case, the proponents of the modal interpretation have work to do.

Type
Research Article
Information
Philosophy of Science , Volume 72 , Issue 4 , October 2005 , pp. 557 - 583
Copyright
Copyright © The Philosophy of Science Association

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Footnotes

‡

We are grateful to Michael Dickson, Gerard Emch, Hans Halvorson, and Wayne Myrvold for helpful comments on earlier drafts of this paper. Needless to say, this does not imply that they agree with the opinions expressed herein.

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