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A Suggestion for a Teleological Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics
Quantum Physics · Submitted 14 Jun 2000
abstract compiled · 2026-09-23 · no language-model review
The authors' main claim The interpretation attained, the Teleological Interpretation, is an ontological one; it is local and deterministic.
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The paper's own sentences, arranged. Each label is drawn from a closed vocabulary; the number beside it is the probability the classifier gave that label. Numbers in the tables are the authors', checked by code. No sentence in this record was written by a model.
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The abstract, sentence by sentence
We suggest solving the measurement problem by postulating the existence of a special future final boundary condition for the universe. Although this is an extension of the way boundary conditions are usually chosen (in terrestrial laboratories), it is our only deviation from standard quantum mechanics. Using two state vectors, or the "two-state", to describe completely the state of systems of interest, we analyze ideal and "weak" measurements, and show the consistency of our scheme. If the final state of a measuring device is assigned to be one of the possible outcomes of the measurement, an effective reduction is observed after an ideal measurement process. For final conditions chosen with an appropriate distribution, the predictions of standard quantum mechanics may be reconstructed, thus eliminating probability from the description of any single measurement. The interpretation attained, the Teleological Interpretation, is an ontological one; it is local and deterministic. Other special assumptions in the choice of the final boundary condition may explain certain unaccounted for phenomena, or even supply a mechanism for essential free will. In this context we believe that a new conception of time should be adopted.
background contribution method result interpretation main claim
| # | sentence | role | the authors' own work | states the main conclusion | strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| s0 | We suggest solving the measurement problem by postulating the existence of a special future final boundary condition for the universe. | contribution 0.96 | 0.67 | 0.53 | hedged possibility 0.83 |
| s1 | Although this is an extension of the way boundary conditions are usually chosen (in terrestrial laboratories), it is our only deviation from standard quantum mechanics. | contribution 0.49 | 0.50 | 0.06 | asserted 1.00 |
| s2 | Using two state vectors, or the "two-state", to describe completely the state of systems of interest, we analyze ideal and "weak" measurements, and show the consistency of our scheme. | method 0.81 | 0.91 | 0.06 | asserted 1.00 |
| s3 | If the final state of a measuring device is assigned to be one of the possible outcomes of the measurement, an effective reduction is observed after an ideal measurement process. | result 0.96 | 0.75 | 0.11 | asserted 0.84 |
| s4 | For final conditions chosen with an appropriate distribution, the predictions of standard quantum mechanics may be reconstructed, thus eliminating probability from the description of any single measurement. | result 0.83 | 0.71 | 0.19 | hedged possibility 1.00 |
| s5 | The interpretation attained, the Teleological Interpretation, is an ontological one; it is local and deterministic. | interpretation 0.99 | 0.67 | 0.49 | asserted 1.00 |
| s6 | Other special assumptions in the choice of the final boundary condition may explain certain unaccounted for phenomena, or even supply a mechanism for essential free will. | interpretation 0.74 | 0.12 | 0.05 | hedged possibility 0.89 |
| s7 | In this context we believe that a new conception of time should be adopted. | interpretation 0.64 | 0.20 | 0.07 | speculative 0.58 |
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Original abstract
We suggest solving the measurement problem by postulating the existence of a special future final boundary condition for the universe. Although this is an extension of the way boundary conditions are usually chosen (in terrestrial laboratories), it is our only deviation from standard quantum mechanics. Using two state vectors, or the "two-state", to describe completely the state of systems of interest, we analyze ideal and "weak" measurements, and show the consistency of our scheme. If the final state of a measuring device is assigned to be one of the possible outcomes of the measurement, an effective reduction is observed after an ideal measurement process. For final conditions chosen with an appropriate distribution, the predictions of standard quantum mechanics may be reconstructed, thus eliminating probability from the description of any single measurement. The interpretation attained, the Teleological Interpretation, is an ontological one; it is local and deterministic. Other special assumptions in the choice of the final boundary condition may explain certain unaccounted for phenomena, or even supply a mechanism for essential free will. In this context we believe that a new conception of time should be adopted.
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2 arXiv papers cite this in 7 sentences
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Cites it as support 1 paper
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Rather, the final boundary condition of the Universe includes the appropriate final boundary conditions for the measuring devices which would evolve backward in time to select a specific measurement outcome [ref] .
Measurement and Collapse within the Two-State-Vector Formalism · The Two-States-Vector Formalism · 0.98
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