Im Rahmen unseres Philosophischen Kolloquiums laden wir herzlich ein zum Lunch Time Talk mit einem Vortrag von

Teamprojekt Annika Schuster (Düsseldorf): Quantum Measurements and Distributivity

Quantum logicians assume that the distributive law
(DL)    p∧(q∨r)↔(p∧q)∨(p∧r) 
is not valid in the area of quantum physics. An interpretation of the propositions p,q,r in terms of quantum measurements which is said to be a counterexample for DL was proposed.
In the talk it will be argued that giving up distributivity is not necessary for a plausible account of these quantum propositions. Rather, it is suggested to interpret them in terms of classical propositional logic and taking into account the restrictions imposed by the dynamics of measurement processes in quantum systems. For this purpose, a common version of the quantum logicians’ argument will be discussed. In terms of classical logic, it is criticized by Gerhard Schurz (see Dapprich, Schuster, 2016) who showed that Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle is not accurately taken into account in the argument. To illustrate the dynamics underlying the propositions, Schurz’ argument will be reformulated making use of the dynamic epistemic framework proposed by Alexandru Baltag and Sonja Smets (2008, 2011).
It is concluded that quantum propositions can be analysed in terms of classical logic. The propositions about quantum measurements are compatible with DL, when they are formulated taking into account the dynamics of information which underlies the measurement.

Zur Person:
Annika Schuster (B.A.) studied philosophy and linguistics (minor) at the Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf. She is a research fellow in the CRC991 – “The Structure of Representations in Language, Cognition, and Science”.

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