dorsal/arxiv
View SchemaOn a Supposed Conceptual Inadequacy of the Shannon Information in Quantum Mechanics
| Authors | C. G. Timpson |
|---|---|
| Categories | |
| ArXiv ID | quant-ph/0112178 |
| URL | https://arxiv.org/abs/quant-ph/0112178 |
| Journal | Stud. Hist. Phil. Mod. Phys., Vol 33 no 3 (2003), pp. 441-468 |
Abstract
Recently, Brukner and Zeilinger (2001) have claimed that the Shannon information is not well defined as a measure of information in quantum mechanics, adducing arguments that seek to show that it is inextricably tied to classical notions of measurement. It is shown here that these arguments do not succeed: the Shannon information does not have problematic ties to classical concepts. In a further argument, Brukner and Zeilinger compare the Shannon information unfavourably to their preferred measure, I(p), with regard to the definition of a notion of `total information content'. This argument is found unconvincing and the relationship between individual measures of information and notions of `total information content' investigated. We close by considering the prospects of Zeilinger's Foundational Principle as a foundational principle for quantum mechanics
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"abstract": "Recently, Brukner and Zeilinger (2001) have claimed that the Shannon\ninformation is not well defined as a measure of information in quantum\nmechanics, adducing arguments that seek to show that it is inextricably tied to\nclassical notions of measurement. It is shown here that these arguments do not\nsucceed: the Shannon information does not have problematic ties to classical\nconcepts. In a further argument, Brukner and Zeilinger compare the Shannon\ninformation unfavourably to their preferred measure, I(p), with regard to the\ndefinition of a notion of `total information content\u0027. This argument is found\nunconvincing and the relationship between individual measures of information\nand notions of `total information content\u0027 investigated. We close by\nconsidering the prospects of Zeilinger\u0027s Foundational Principle as a\nfoundational principle for quantum mechanics",
"arxiv_id": "quant-ph/0112178",
"authors": [
"C. G. Timpson"
],
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"journal_ref": "Stud. Hist. Phil. Mod. Phys., Vol 33 no 3 (2003), pp. 441-468",
"title": "On a Supposed Conceptual Inadequacy of the Shannon Information in Quantum Mechanics",
"url": "https://arxiv.org/abs/quant-ph/0112178"
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