On the consistent histories approach to quantum mechanics

Journal Article · Fri Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1996 · Journal of Statistical Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02183396· OSTI ID:468311

Dowker, F ^[1]; Kent, A ^[2]

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1. Univ. of California, Santa Barbara, CA (United States)
2. Univ. of Cambridge (United Kingdom)

We review the consistent histories formulations of quantum mechanics developed by Griffiths, Omnes, Gell-Man, and Hartle, and we describe the classifications of consistent sets. We illustrate some general features of consistent sets by a few lemmas and examples. We also consider various interpretations of the formalism, and we examine the new problems which arise in reconstructing the past and predicting the future. It is shown that Omnes characterization of true statements---statements that can be deduced unconditionally in his interpretation---is incorrect. We examine critically Gell-Mann and Hartle`s interpretation of the formalism, and in particular, their discussions of communication, prediction, and retrodiction, and we conclude that their explanation of the apparent persistence of quasiclassicality relies on assumptions about an as-yet-unknown theory of experience. Our overall conclusion is that the consistent histories approach illustrates the need to supplement quantum mechanics by some selection principle in order to produce a fundamental theory capable of unconditional predictions.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 468311
• Journal Information: Journal of Statistical Physics, Journal Name: Journal of Statistical Physics Journal Issue: 5-6 Vol. 82; ISSN JSTPBS; ISSN 0022-4715
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

66 PHYSICS
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
COSMOLOGICAL MODELS
COSMOLOGY
EVALUATION
QUANTUM MECHANICS