Quantum cosmic censor: gravitation makes reality undecidable
Abstract
Description
When one takes into account gravitation, the measurement of space and time cannot be carried out with infinite accuracy. When quantum mechanics is reformulated taking into account this lack of accuracy, the resolution of the measurement problem can be implemented via decoherence without the usual pitfalls. The resulting theory has the same physical predictions of quantum mechanics with a reduction postulate, but is radically different, with the quantum states evolving unitarily in terms of the underlying variables. Gravitation therefore makes this worrisome situation, potentially leading to two completely different views of reality, irrelevant from an empirical point of view. It may however be highly relevant from a philosophical point of view.
3 Pages, This essay received an honorable mention from the Gravity Research Foundation essay competition in 2008
3 Pages, This essay received an honorable mention from the Gravity Research Foundation essay competition in 2008