2004/02/03 by D. M. Appleby · 2 citations
Arts and Humanities · Physics and Astronomy · #Consistent histories #Frequentist inference #Frequentist probability #Interpretation (philosophy) #Interpretations of quantum mechanics #Minority interpretations of quantum mechanics #Philosophy and History of Science #Philosophy of science #Probabilistic logic #Quantum Mechanics and Applications #Quantum probability #Statistical Mechanics and Entropy #quant-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.1007/s10701-004-2014-6
published as Found. Phys. 35, 627 (2005) · 30 pages, AMS Latex
arxiv created 2004/02/03 · openalex publication_date 2005/04/01 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
Quantum mechanics is a fundamentally probabilistic theory (at least so far as the empirical predictions are concerned). It follows that, if one wants to properly understand quantum mechanics, it is essential to clearly understand the meaning of probability statements. The interpretation of probability has excited nearly as much philosophical controversy as the interpretation of quantum mechanics. 20th century physicists have mostly adopted a frequentist conception. In this paper it is argued that we ought, instead, to adopt a logical or Bayesian conception. The paper includes a comparison of the orthodox and Bayesian theories of statistical inference. It concludes with a few remarks concerning the implications for the concept of physical reality.