Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

In Defence Of The Phase Space Picture

  • Published:
Synthese Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

While the Phase Space formulation of quantum mechanics has received considerable attention it has seldom been defended as a viable interpretation. In this paper I expound the Phase Space Picture, use it to provide a quasi-classical ‘hidden variables’ interpretation of quantum mechanics and offer a defence of it against various objections.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  • Adelman, M., J. V. Corbett, and C. A. Hurst: 1993, ‘The Geometry of State Space’, Foundations of Physics 23, 211–223.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bohm, D. and B. J. Hiley.: 1993, The Undivided Universe, Routledge, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, L.: 1966, ‘Can Quantum Mechanics be Formulated as a Classical Probability Theory?’, Philosophy of Science 33, 317–322.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Forrest, P.: 1988, Quantum Metaphysics, Blackwell, Oxford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Forrest, P.: 1997, ‘Common Sense and a “Wigner-Dirac” Approach to Quantum Mechanics’, The Monist 80.

  • Gibbins, P. F.: 1983, ‘Quantum Logic and Ensembles’, in Richard Swinburne (ed.), Space, Time and Causality, Reidel, Dordrecht, pp. 191–205.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hillery, M., R. F. O'Connell, M. O. Scully, and E. P. Wigner: 1984, ‘Distribution Functions in Physics: Fundamentals’, Physics Reports 106, 122–167.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hughes, R. I. G.: 1989, The Structure and Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics, Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim, Y. S. and M. E. Noz: 1991, Phase Space Picture of Quantum Mechanics: Group Theoretical Approach, World Scientific, Singapore.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kochen, Simon and E. P. Specker: 1967, ‘The Problem of Hidden Variables in Quantum Mechanics’, Journal of Mathematics and Mechanics 17, 59–87.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wigner, E.: 1932, ‘On the Quantum Correction for Thermodynamic Equilibrium’, Physical Review 40, 749–759; reprinted in Kim and Noz (1991), pp. 219–231.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Social Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, 2351, Australia

    Peter Forrest

Authors
  1. Peter Forrest
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Forrest, P. In Defence Of The Phase Space Picture. Synthese 119, 299–311 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005105115011

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005105115011

Keywords

Search

Navigation