This is a book about the interpretation of quantum mechanics, in
particular
about how to resolve the measurement problem introduced by the orthodox
interpretation of the theory.
The heart of the book is a new result that shows how to construct all
possible 'no collapse' interpretations, subject to certain natural
constraints and the limitations imposed by the hidden variable theorems.
From this perspective one sees precisely where things have gone awry and
what the options are. Various interpretations, including Bohm's causal
interpretation, Bohr's complementarity interpretation, and the modal
interpretation are shown to be special cases of this result, for
different
choices of a 'preferred' observable. A feature of the book is a novel
treatment of the main hidden variable theorems, and an extended critique
of
contemporary 'decoherence' theories of measurement. The discussion is
self-contained and organized so that the technical portions may be
skipped
without losing the argument.
The book will be of interest to advanced undergraduates and graduate
students in philosopy of science, physics, and mathematics with an
interest
in foundational problems in quantum physics. General readers with some
technical sophistication will also find the book of value.
