Quantum Relativism. On the Foundations of Relational Quantum Mechanics and Related Interpretations

Diplôme Thèse Quantum Relativism. On the Foundations of Relational Quantum Mechanics and Related Interpretations eng 2026-03-04 2026-03-04 director Wuthrich Christian 0000-0001-8774-6160 662870 Département de philosophie (PHIL1) author Riedel Timotheus Christopher 401516 director Calosi Claudio 884053 209 10.13097/archive-ouverte/unige:192342 urn:nbn:ch:unige-1923422 L. 1204 Recent no-go theorems challenging the absoluteness of events have highlighted the possibility that dynamical facts in quantum theory are observer-relative. This thesis examines the metaphysical and conceptual foundations of quantum relativism, focusing on Relational Quantum Mechanics (RQM). It analyzes arguments for relativism through Wigner’s Friend and Extended Wigner’s Friend thought experiments, explores the link between relative physical facts and experiences, and offers the first metaphysical definition of "relative facts." The thesis argues: <li>RQM supports a perspectival retro-determination of past events based on later acquisition of information;</li> <li>Quantum relativists must also relativize facts about observers’ experiences;</li> <li>the strongest arguments for relativism lead to unbounded higher-order relativity, precluding any absolute 'view from nowhere';</li> <li>Only a metaphysical framework that relativized the composition of reality itself can accommodate such an unrestricted iteration.</li> These conclusions deepen our grasp of a thoroughly perspectival quantum world. Quantum Mechanics Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics Perspectivism Relativism Wigner's Friend Metaphysics Dewey 100/501 89 Département de philosophie 3G false 300ac771-80ba-4786-856c-67a59ae09cae Thesis Public Thesis_Publication.pdf 2672780 application/pdf CC BY-4.0 Restricted 2027-09-16 111a8a54e44d066d30c0f8729537b07ebfde1066ab1056a5f953cd8b8fd5b396 9f992aa2-9a76-4bd8-a4ff-a3aaf9a219ed Imprimatur Public Imprimatur_RIEDEL.pdf 56208 application/pdf ab02f656ba51caaa6780402c0bf7d188d5063bb169813e79af627f76ee3eb346 embargoedAccess Faculté des lettres / Département de philosophie

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Riedel, Timotheus Christopher

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