The physics and the philosophy of time reversal in standard quantum mechanics

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Serval ID
serval:BIB_7FC0C1913EDC
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
The physics and the philosophy of time reversal in standard quantum mechanics
Journal
Synthese
Author(s)
López Cristian
ISSN
0039-7857 (print)
1573-0964 (electronic)
Publication state
Published
Issued date
12/2021
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
199
Number
5-6
Pages
14267-14292
Language
english
Abstract
A widespread view in physics holds that the implementation of time reversal in standard quantum mechanics must be given by an anti-unitary operator. In foundations and philosophy of physics, however, there has been some discussion about the conceptual grounds of this orthodoxy, largely relying on either its obviousness or its mathematical-physical virtues. My aim in this paper is to substantively change the traditional structure of the debate by highlighting the philosophical commitments underlying the orthodoxy. I argue that the persuasive force of the orthodoxy can benefit from a relational metaphysics of time and a by-stipulation view on symmetries. Within such philosophical background, I submit, the orthodoxy of time reversal in standard quantum mechanics could find a fertile terrain to lay the groundwork for a more thorough conceptual justification.
Keywords
Quantum mechanics, Time reversal, Anti-unitarity, Relationalism, Symmetry
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Create date
25/10/2022 14:47
Last modification date
17/01/2023 7:57
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