The Modal Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-vii

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2. Introduction

   • Dennis Dieks, Pieter E. Vermaas

   Pages 1-7

3. Lorentz-Invariance in Modal Interpretations

   • Michael Dickson, Rob Clifton

   Pages 9-47

4. Locality and Lorentz-Covariance in the Modal Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics

   • Dennis Dieks

   Pages 49-67

5. Valuations on Functionally Closed Sets of Quantum Mechanical Observables and Von Neumann’s ‘No-Hidden-Variables’ Theorem

   • Jason Zimba, Rob Clifton

   Pages 69-101

6. The Pros and Cons of the Kochen-Dieks and the Atomic Modal Interpretation

   • Pieter E. Vermaas

   Pages 103-148

7. Projection Operators, Properties, and Idempotent Variables in the Modal Interpretations

   • Nick Reeder

   Pages 149-176

8. Bohm-Bell Dynamics in the Modal Interpretation

   • Guido Bacciagaluppi

   Pages 177-211

9. Discontinuity and Continuity of Definite Properties in the Modal Interpretation

   • Matthew J. Donald

   Pages 213-222

10. How Close is “Close Enough”?

    • Laura Ruetsche

    Pages 223-239

11. Decoherence in Bohmian Modal Interpretations

    • Jeffrey Bub

    Pages 241-252

12. Quantum Histories in the Modal Interpretation

    • Meir Hemmo

    Pages 253-277

13. Remarks on Unsharp Quantum Observables, Objectification, and Modal Interpretations

    • Paul Busch

    Pages 279-288

14. Are ‘Sharp Values’ of Observables Always Objective Elements of Reality?

    • Harvey Brown, Mauricio Suárez, Guido Bacciagaluppi

    Pages 289-306

15. Quantum-Mechanical Self-Measurement

    • Bradley Monton

    Pages 307-318

16. The Bare Theory and How to Fix It

    • Jeffrey A. Barrett

    Pages 319-336

17. Curiouser and Curiouser: A Personal Evaluation of Modal Interpretations

    • Frank Arntzenius

    Pages 337-377

18. Back Matter

    Pages 379-381

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According to the modal interpretation, the standard mathematical framework of quantum mechanics specifies the physical magnitudes of a system, which have definite values. Probabilities are assigned to the possible values that these magnitudes may adopt. The interpretation is thus concerned with physical properties rather than with measurement results: it is a realistic interpretation (in the sense of scientific realism). One of the notable achievements of this interpretation is that it dissolves the notorious measurement problem.
The papers collected here, together with the introduction and concluding critical appraisal, explain the various forms of the modal interpretation, survey its achievements, and discuss those problems that have yet to be solved.
Audience: Philosophers of science, theoretical physicists, and graduate students in these disciplines.

• coherence
• decoherence
• invariance
• quantum mechanics
• realism
• science

• Utrecht University, The Netherlands

  Dennis Dieks, Pieter E. Vermaas

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