International Studies in the Philosophy of Science 17 (2):127 – 136 (2003)
Authors |
|
Abstract |
This article addresses the question whether supertasks are possible within the context of non-relativistic quantum mechanics. The supertask under consideration consists of performing an infinite number of quantum mechanical measurements in a finite amount of time. Recent arguments in the physics literature claim to show that continuous measurements, understood as N discrete measurements in the limit where N goes to infinity, are impossible. I show that there are certain kinds of measurements in quantum mechanics for which these arguments break down. This suggests that there is a new context in which quantum mechanics, in principle, permits the performance of a supertask.
|
Keywords | No keywords specified (fix it) |
Categories | (categorize this paper) |
DOI | 10.1080/0269859031000160595 |
Options |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Download options
References found in this work BETA
The Complete Works of Aristotle the Revised Oxford Translation.Jonathan Barnes - 1984 - Princeton University Press, 1984.
Bangs, Crunches, Whimpers, and Shrieks: Singularities and Acausalities in Relativistic Spacetimes.John Earman & Professor of the History and Philosophy of Science John Earman - 1995 - Oxford University Press.
Tasks, Super-Tasks, and the Modern Eleatics.Paul Benacerraf - 1962 - Journal of Philosophy 59 (24):765-784.
View all 16 references / Add more references
Citations of this work BETA
Zeno of Elea: Where Space, Time, Physics, and Philosophy Converge An Everyman’s Introduction to an Unsung Hero of Philosophy.William Turner - unknown
Similar books and articles
Conceptual Foundations of Quantum Mechanics.Bernard D' Espagnat - 1971 - Addison-Wesley, Advanced Book Program.
Betting on the Outcomes of Measurements: A Bayesian Theory of Quantum Probability.Itamar Pitowsky - 2002 - Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part B: Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics 34 (3):395-414.
The Rise and Fall of Time-Symmetrized Quantum Mechanics.W. David Sharp & Niall Shanks - 1993 - Philosophy of Science 60 (3):488-499.
The Concept of Measurement and Time Symmetry in Quantum Mechanics.M. Bitbol - 1988 - Philosophy of Science 55 (3):349-375.
Measurement and the Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics and Relativity Theory.W. M. de Muynck - 1995 - Synthese 102 (2):293-318.
Measurement and the Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics and Relativity Theory.W. M. De Muynck - 1995 - Synthese 102 (2):293 - 318.
Analytics
Added to PP index
2009-01-28
Total views
55 ( #208,143 of 2,517,898 )
Recent downloads (6 months)
4 ( #167,427 of 2,517,898 )
2009-01-28
Total views
55 ( #208,143 of 2,517,898 )
Recent downloads (6 months)
4 ( #167,427 of 2,517,898 )
How can I increase my downloads?
Downloads