In Proceedings III International Symposium on Foundations of Quantum Mechanics. Tokyo: pp. 354-358 (1989)
Abstract |
This report reviews what quantum physics and information theory have to tell us
about the age-old question, How come existence? No escape is evident from four
conclusions: (1) The world cannot be a giant machine, ruled by any preestablished
continuum physical law. (2) There is no such thing at the microscopic level as
space or time or spacetime continuum. (3) The familiar probability function or
functional, and wave equation or functional wave equation, of standard quantum
theory provide mere continuum idealizations and by reason of this circumstance
conceal the information-theoretic source from which they derive. (4) No element in
the description of physics shows itself as closer to primordial than the elementary
quantum phenomenon, that is, the elementary device-intermediated act of posing a
yes-no physical question and eliciting an answer or, in brief, the elementary act of
observer-participancy. Otherwise stated, every physical quantity, every it, derives
its ultimate significance from bits, binary yes-or-no indications, a conclusion which
we epitomize in the phrase, it from bit.
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Keywords | Quantum theory Information theory Physics Philosophy Space and time |
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Call number | QC174.13.W44 1990 |
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References found in this work BETA
Can Quantum-Mechanical Description of Physical Reality Be Considered Complete?Niels Bohr - 1935 - Physical Review 48 (696--702):696--702.
More is Different.P. W. Anderson - 1994 - In H. Gutfreund & G. Toulouse (eds.), Biology and Computation: A Physicist's Choice. World Scientific. pp. 3--21.
The Quantum Postulate and the Recent Development of Atomic Theory.Niels Bohr - 1928 - Nature 121:580--590.
On the Interpretation of Measurement in Quantum Theory.H. D. Zeh - 1970 - Foundations of Physics 1 (1):69-76.
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Citations of this work BETA
Facing Up to the Problem of Consciousness.David Chalmers - 1995 - Journal of Consciousness Studies 2 (3):200-19.
Quantum Information Theory and the Foundations of Quantum Mechanics.Christopher Gordon Timpson - 2013 - Oxford University Press.
Quantum Information Theory & the Foundations of Quantum Mechanics.Christopher Gordon Timpson - 2004 - Oxford University Press.
View all 97 citations / Add more citations
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