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Quantum mechanics and the physical reality concept

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Abstract

The difference between the measurement bases of classical and quantum mechanics is often interpreted as a loss of reality arising in quantum mechanics. In this paper it is shown that this apparent loss occurs only if one believes that refined everyday experience determines the Euclidean space as the real space, instead of considering this space, both in classical and quantum mechanics, as a theoretical construction needed for measurement and representing one part of a dualistic space conception. From this point of view, Einstein's program of a unified field theory can be interpreted as the attempt to find a physical theory that is less dualistic. However, if one rgards this dualism as resulting from the requirements of measurements, one can hope for a weakening of the dualism but not expect to remove it completely.

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Dedicated to Professor Hans-Jürgen Treder on his 60th birthday, September 4, 1988.

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von Borzeszkowski, HH., Wahsner, R. Quantum mechanics and the physical reality concept. Found Phys 18, 669–681 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00734569

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