Reichenbach and the interpretation of quantum mechanics

Gary M. Hardegree

pp. 513-566

in: Wesley C. Salmon (ed), Hans Reichenbach, Berlin, Springer, 1979

Abstract

The present work, which is a sequel to "Reichenbach and the Logic of Quantum Mechanics' (this volume; henceforth referred to as Part I), endeavors to place Reichenbach's proposed quantum logic RQL within the context of his overall interpretation of quantum mechanics (QM). Although it is argued in Part I that Reichenbach intended RQL to provide an alternative logico-linguistic framework for the formulation of the quantum theory, in the present work we interpret RQL as being entirely on a par with mainstream quantum logic (MQL). In particular, we regard RQL as pertaining, not to the theory formulation language TL(QM), but rather exclusively to the elementary (observation) language RL(QM), which is obtained from the elementary language OL(QM), associated with MQL, by adding a variety of three-valued truth-functional connectives. Also, like Part I, the present work is essentially comparative in nature, the purpose being to analyze Reichenbach's interpretation of QM in the light of more recently proposed interpretations. We take the chief themes of Reichenbach's interpretation to include the following: the distinction between phenomena and interphenomena; the distinction between exhaustive and restrictive interpretations of QM; the Principle of equivalent descriptions; the proposal of a non-bivalent semantics for the observation language of QM.