The Meaning Of Wave Function And The Understanding Of Quantum Space

With the theoretical and practical advancements of quantum mechanics theories, such as quantum information, quantum computing, etc., the essence of the wave function, the "hard core" of quantum mechanics, and that of its existing space, have become a research focus of the philosophical investigation of quantum mechanics. Chapter 1 reviews the different interpretations of the wave function's semantic content in different phases of the history of quantum mechanics. Chapter 2 and chapter 3 examines the problems as well as the corresponding strategies in the interpretation of the wave function as nomological and as multi-dimensional field respectively. Chapter 4 enriches the semantic contents of the wave function by elaborating the entity, structure and dimension of quantum space in the context of different quantum mechanics interpolations. Chapter 5 investigates into the application of metaphor in the entity and model construction of quantum space. The last chapter presents a summary of the study as well as some suggestions for future research.The first chapter introduces the various interpretations of the wave function in different historical periods of quantum mechanics and then illustrates the diversity of these interpretations.The development trajectory of the interpretations of the wave function in the context of quantum mechanics,such as Bohm mechanics, many-worlds interpretation,modal interpretation as well as Quantum bayesian interpretation is analyzed. Some of these interpretations are realism, and some others are non-realism.It also probes into the philosophical essences underlying the quantum mechanics interpretations and finds out that these interpretations are closely related with the corresponding historical contexts.The second chapter introduces scientific explanation context, and its structure and function, the contextual analysis method and its main principles, based on which the meaning of the wave function in the context of Bohm mechanics is discussed. The theoretical form and its essence of this interpretation is expounded from the perspectives of mathematics, physics and logic. That is, the interpretation of the wave function as nomological is significant, but it bears three drawbacks-certainty, controllability, symmetry. Besides, solutions to these problems are proposed. In addition, the rationality of this interpretation is verified by means of analogy. It concludes that the wave function as nomological is weak realism in specific contexts.The third chapter analyzes the problems with the wave function realism and proposes their solutions. The semantic analysis of scientific theories is first introduced, and then is applied to the interpretation of the wave function-the wave function realism, according to which, the wave function is interpreted as multidimensional field. This interpretation presents a brand new picture of the micro-world. Then, "Macro object puzzle" and " the irrelevance of threat experiences" are examined from the perspectives of ontology and epistemology. Based on a comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of the solutions-"wave anti-realism", "Structural realism", "Quantum state realism"and "quantum field theory", we claim that "Contextualist wave function realism" is the best way out.The fourth chapter explores the quantum space, which is closely related to the wave function. Based on a systematic examination of the different entities and characteristics of quantum space, its dimension and reality and illusion,we conduct a comprehensive and systematic investigation into the physical essences and theoretical frameworks of quantum space in different contexts. The analysis shows that in spite of diversified interpretations of the entity, structure and dimension of quantum space, it is reasonable to"generate a unified conception of quantum space in given contexts". Therefore, the different interpretations of the structure and dimension of quantum space in different contexts can be integrated. A unified conception of the structure and dimension of quantum space can be achieved by means of contextual analysis method, which can simplify the complexity in the interpretations of the structure and dimension of quantum space.The fifth chapter discusses the metaphor analysis of quantum space. It first introduces the definition, function and realization of metaphor, and then applies it to quantum theories, especially the basic entity and model construction process of quantum space. It demonstrates that metaphor analysis plays a significant role in interpreting the entity and model construction of quantum space. It concludes that metaphorical thinking and the analogy to the classical entity and structure play a highly scientific and philosophical significance in interpreting the entity and model construction process of quantum space.Following the relationship between the wave function and quantum space, the last chapter concludes the previous chapters. It points out the prospects of contextual interpretation and also sets the direction for future research. Against the background that the classical quantum space realism needs to be updated, this study proposes the contextual interpretation of the quantum space model, as well as that of the entity, dimension and structure in different models. In the near future, the contextual interpretation of the wave function and quantum space is likely to be challenged by quantum theories and experiments, such as quantum field theory and quantum gravity theory, which defend quantum space realism.