The Transactional Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics
A Relativistic Treatment

Provides a comprehensive exposition of the transactional interpretation of quantum mechanics and its compatibility with relativity.

Ruth E. Kastner (Author)

9781108830447, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 28 April 2022

275 pages
25 x 17.4 x 1.7 cm, 0.62 kg

'Kastner writes as if she wants the reader to understand what she is saying, not just to be impressed with how smart she must be to understand the material. This is a boon for those who aren't professionals in the field of quantum mechanics. This book provides a sharp description of the interpretation problem within quantum mechanics and a convincing argument that the Relativistic Transactional Interpretation is the correct choice.' Dean S. Hartley III, Hartley Consulting, Oak Ridge

Providing a comprehensive exposition of the transactional interpretation (TI) of quantum mechanics, this book sheds new light on long-standing problems in quantum theory such as the physical meaning of the 'Born Rule' for the probabilities of measurement results, and demonstrates the ability of TI to solve the measurement problem of quantum mechanics. It provides robust refutations of various objections and challenges to TI, such as Maudlin's inconsistency challenge, and explicitly extends TI into the relativistic domain, providing new insight into the basic compatibility of TI with relativity and the meaning of 'virtual particles.' It breaks new ground in approaches to interpreting quantum theory and presents a compelling new ontological picture of quantum reality. This substantially revised and updated second edition is ideal for researchers and graduate students interested in the philosophy of physics and the interpretation of quantum mechanics.

Preface. 1. Introduction: Quantum peculiarities
2. The map versus the territory
3. The original TI: Fundamentals
4. The new TI: Possibilist transactional interpretation
5. The Relativistic Transactional Interpretation
6. Challenges, replies, and applications
7. The metaphysics of possibility in RTI
8. RTI and spacetime
9. Epilogue. References. Index.

Subject Areas: Relativity physics [PHR], Quantum physics [quantum mechanics & quantum field theory PHQ], Philosophy of science [PDA]