Uploaded March 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Abstract: Quantum theory can be reformulated in terms of old-fashioned configuration spaces and ‘indivisible’ stochastic laws, without a fundamental role for Hilbert spaces, wave functions, density matrices, or even the complex numbers. After reviewing this axiomatically simpler and more transparent formulation, I will argue that it does not suffer from some of the major foundational problems of textbook quantum theory, like the measurement problem, and that it deflates various exotic claims about superposition, interference, and entanglement. I will also use this new formulation to introduce a microphysical definition of causal influences, which can be used to exploit loopholes in the existing no-go theorems, including Bell’s theorem, with potentially significant consequences for causal locality.
Bio: Jacob Barandes is a philosopher of science and mathematical physicist at Harvard University. He did his undergraduate work at Columbia University in physics and mathematics, and then completed his PhD in theoretical physics at Harvard. Dr. Barandes currently serves as Lecturer and Co-Director of Graduate Studies for the physics PhD program at Harvard. He is also an Associated Faculty member with Harvard’s Department of Philosophy, as well as a Faculty Affiliate with the Harvard Black Hole Initiative. Dr. Barandes teaches courses on the history and philosophy of quantum mechanics, the fundamentals of theoretical physics, classical electromagnetism, and general relativity. His research publications focus on the foundations of quantum theory, philosophy of science, and quantum field theory. Dr. Barandes also organizes the annual New England Workshop on the History and Philosophy of Physics, in addition to an international seminar series on physics and philosophy of science. For more on Dr. Barandes’s work, see jacobbarandes.com.
Abstract: Quantum theory can be reformulated in terms of old-fashioned configuration spaces and ‘indivisible’ stochastic laws, without a fundamental role for Hilbert spaces, wave functions, density matrices, or even the complex numbers. After reviewing this axiomatically simpler and more transparent formulation, I will argue that it does not suffer from some of the major foundational problems of textbook quantum theory, like the measurement problem, and that it deflates various exotic claims about superposition, interference, and entanglement. I will also use this new formulation to introduce a microphysical definition of causal influences, which can be used to exploit loopholes in the existing no-go theorems, including Bell’s theorem, with potentially significant consequences for causal locality.
Bio: Jacob Barandes is a philosopher of science and mathematical physicist at Harvard University. He did his undergraduate work at Columbia University in physics and mathematics, and then completed his PhD in theoretical physics at Harvard. Dr. Barandes currently serves as Lecturer and Co-Director of Graduate Studies for the physics PhD program at Harvard. He is also an Associated Faculty member with Harvard’s Department of Philosophy, as well as a Faculty Affiliate with the Harvard Black Hole Initiative. Dr. Barandes teaches courses on the history and philosophy of quantum mechanics, the fundamentals of theoretical physics, classical electromagnetism, and general relativity. His research publications focus on the foundations of quantum theory, philosophy of science, and quantum field theory. Dr. Barandes also organizes the annual New England Workshop on the History and Philosophy of Physics, in addition to an international seminar series on physics and philosophy of science. For more on Dr. Barandes’s work, see jacobbarandes.com.
