Abstract
In this paper I examine the extent to which recent work in information-theoretic foundations of quantum mechanics can be thought to facilitate understanding, either of quantum phenomena or quantum theory. To do so I utilize the modal view of understanding phenomena. I extend this view to develop an analysis of understanding of theories. The extended modal view of understanding provides a unified view of recent work in information-theoretic foundations of quantum mechanics and explains how it facilitates understanding.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 278-291 |
| Number of pages | 14 |
| Journal | Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part B - Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics |
| Volume | 72 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Nov 2020 |
Funding
Thanks to participants of Information-Theoretic Interpretations of Quantum Mechanics workshop at Western University for their insightful comments and questions on my related talk there. Rob Spekkens and Christopher Smeenk especially made me rethink and develop my view on understanding of theories. I also wish to thank the editors of this special issue. Thanks to Soazig Le Bihan for her feedback on earlier drafts. Finally, the comments of anonymous referees were highly valuable for clarifying the aim of the paper and improving the supporting arguments.
| Funders | Funder number |
|---|---|
| Western University |
Keywords
- Foil theories
- Operational frameworks
- Quantum correlations
- Quantum information
- Superquantum correlations
- Understanding