Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Understanding the Frauchiger–Renner Argument

  • Published:
Foundations of Physics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In 2018, Daniela Frauchiger and Renato Renner published an article in Nature Communications entitled ‘Quantum theory cannot consistently describe the use of itself.’ The argument has been attacked as flawed from a variety of interpretational perspectives. I clarify the significance of the result as a sequence of actions and inferences by agents modeled as quantum systems evolving unitarily at all times. At no point does the argument appeal to a ‘collapse’ of the quantum state following a measurement.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Frauchiger, D., Renner, R.: Quantum theory cannot consistently describe the use of itself. Nat. Commun. 9, 3711 (2018)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  2. Renner, R.: Notes on the discussion: “Quantum theory cannot consistently describe the use of itself.”

  3. Wigner, E.: Remarks on the mind-body question. In: Good, I.J. (ed.) The Scientist Speculates. Heinemann, London (1961)

    Google Scholar 

  4. Hardy, L.: Quantum mechanics, local realistic theories, and Lorentz-invariant physical theories. Phys. Rev. Lett. 68, 2981–2984 (1992)

    Article  ADS  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  5. Hardy, L.: Nonlocality for two particles without inequalities for almost all entangled states. Phys. Rev. Lett. 71, 1665–1668 (1993)

    Article  ADS  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  6. Losada, M., Laura, R., Lombardi, O.: Frauchiger–Renner argument and quantum histories. Phys. Rev. A 100, 052114–052119 (2019)

    Article  ADS  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  7. Muciño, R.., Okon, E.: Wigner’s convoluted friends. arXiv:2006.16056

  8. Bub, J.: Interpreting the quantum world: old questions and new answers. Hist. Stud. Nat. Sci. 49, 226–239 (2019)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Peres, A.: Quantum Theory: Concepts and Methods. Springer, New York (1995)

    MATH  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Renato Renner for helpful discussions, and for making available his ‘Notes on the Discussion of “Quantum theory cannot consistently describe the use of itself.”’

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Philosophy Department, Institute for Physical Science and Technology, Joint Center for Quantum Information and Computer Science, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA

    Jeffrey Bub

Authors
  1. Jeffrey Bub
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jeffrey Bub.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Bub, J. Understanding the Frauchiger–Renner Argument. Found Phys 51, 36 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10701-021-00420-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10701-021-00420-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation