Abstract
A derivation by Fröhner of non-relativistic quantum mechanics via Fourier analysis applied to probability theory is not extendable to relativistic quantum mechanics because Schrödinger's positive definite probability density ψ*ψ is lost (Dirac's spin 1/2 case being the exception). The nature of the Fourier link then changes; it points to a redefinition of the probability scheme as an information carrying telegraph, the code of which is Born's as extended by Dirac and by Feynman. Hermitian symmetry of the transition amplitude 〈ϕ∣ψ〉 between Dirac representations expresses reciprocity of preparation and measurement (the quantal coding and decoding), two equally active interventions of the physicist; as “the measurement perturbs the system” retrodiction implies retroaction evidenced in “delayed choice.” Reciprocity of knowledge and organization vindicates Wigner's claim that “reciprocal to the action of matter upon mind there exists a direct action of mind upon matter”: psychokinesis, branded by Jaynes as “a psychiatric disorder of the Copenhagen school.” As for factlike irreversibility, it is expressed by the enormity of the change rate from information to negentropy: while gain in knowledge is normal psychokinesis is paranormal. Stapp's recent discussion of psychokinesis in a quantum context should be resumed in association with an EPR correlation; an experimental test is proposed.
Similar content being viewed by others
REFERENCES
F. H. Fröhner, Z. Naturforsch. 53a, 637 (1998).
L. Fejer, J. Reine und Ang. Math. 146, 53 (1915).
M. Born, W. Heisenberg, and P. Jordan, Z. Phys. 35, 557 (1926).
P. A. M. Dirac, The Principles of Quantum Mechanics, 3rd edn. (Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1947).
H. Mehlberg, “Physical laws and the time arrow,” in Current Issues in the Phylosophy of Science, H. Feigl and G. Maxwell, eds. (Holt, Rinehart, Wilson, New York, 1961), p. 195.
D. J. Hoekzema, Found. Phys. 22, 467, 487 (1992).
B. d'Espagnat, Veiled Reality (Addison-Wesley, New York, 1995).
O. Costa de Beauregard, “Intersubjectivity, relativistic covariance and conditionals,” in Maximum Entropy and Bayesian Methods, A. Mohammad Djafari and G. Demoment, eds. (Kluwer Academic, Dordrecht, 1993), p. 9.
E. T. Jaynes, “Clearing up mysteries,” in Maximum Entropy and Bayesian Methods, J. Skilling, ed. (Kluwer Academic, Dordrecht, 1989), p. 1.
O. Costa de Beauregard, C. R. Acad. Sci. 236, 1632 (1953).
J. A. Wheeler, “The past and the delayed choice double-slit experiment,” in Mathematical Foundations of Quantum Mechanics, R. Marlow, ed. (Academic, New York, 1978), p.9.
W. A. Miller and J. A. Wheeler, “Delayed choice experiments and Bohr's elementary phenomenon,” in Foundations of Quantum Mechanics in the Light of New Technology, S. Kamefuchi et al., eds. (Phys. Soc. Japan, Tokyo, 1983), p. 140.
E. P. Wigner, Symmetries and Reflections (M.I.T. Press, Cambridge, Mass., 1967), p. 184.
R. Jahn and B. Dunne, “On the role of consciousness in quantum physical processes,” in The Concept of Probability, E. I. Bitsakis and C. A. Nicolaides, eds. (Kluwer Academic, Dordrecht, 1989), p. 167. “The role of consciousness in physical reality,” in Bell's Theorem, Quantum Theory and Conceptions of the Universe, M. Kafatos, ed. (Kluwer Academic, Dordrecht, 1989), p. 285.
H. P. Stapp, Phys Rev. A 50, 18 (1994).
J. Eccles, Proc. Roy. Soc. 22B, 411 (1986).
F. London and E. Bauer, La Théorie de l'Observation en Mécanique Quantique (Hermann, Paris, 1939).
J. G. Cramer, Rev. Mod. Phys. 58, 847 (1983).
H. P. Stapp, Nuovo Cim. 29B, 270 (1975).
W. C. Davidon, Nuovo Cim. 36B, 34 (1976).
K. V. Roberts, Proc. Roy. Soc. A 360, 135 (1977).
R. I. Sutherland, Nuovo Cim. 88B, 114 (1985).
M. Riesz, Actes du Dixième Congrès des Mathématiciens Scandinaves (Copenhague, 1946), p. 123.
O. Costa de Beauregard, J. Phys. Rad. 15, 810 (1954); 16, 770 (1955); 17, 872 (1956); 18, 223 (1957).
O. Costa de Beauregard, “Lorentz and CPT invariances and the EPR correlations,” Ref. 12, p. 233.
H. Umezawa and A. Visconti, Nucl. Phys. 1, 20 (1956).
A. Einstein, in Electrons et Photons, Rapports et Discussions du Cinquième Conseil Solvay (Gauthier-Villars, Paris, 1927), p. 253.
J. D. van der Waals, Phys. Z. 12, 547 (1911).
A. Einstein, B. Podolsky, and N. Rosen, Phys. Rev. 47, 777 (1935).
D. Bohm, Quantum Theory (Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, 1951), pp. 614–622.
O. Costa de Beauregard, Phys. Rev. Lett. 50, 867 (1983).
A. Einstein, in Einstein Philosopher Scientist, P. A. Schilpp, ed. (Open Court, La Salle, Illinois, 1949), p. 683.
A. Shimony, “Controllable and uncontrollable nonlocality,” Ref. 12, p. 225.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
de Beauregard, O.C. Relativistic Quantum Mechanics as a Telegraph. Foundations of Physics 31, 837–848 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1017552529843
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1017552529843