One of the most famous elements of quantum theory, if any part is famous, is the idea of measurement being integral to the world.
Under the Copenhagen interpretation, all we can say about the world is what comes through measurement. So if a system is not observed at all, all we can say is that it is in a superposition of certain states. Guessing what is the case is in some real sense meaningless. This leads to the bizarre situation that was made famous by Schrodinger's cat thought experiment.
There are many elements that are odd with measurement. Firstly, there is the position of seeming privilege to that which is conscious and can perform measurements. What is so special about measurement that it is some sense actualises concrete events that were just fuzzy probabilities before?
Secondly, what separates measurement from the rest of the system. After all, we are all part of the physical world, so how do those who are capable of performing measurement and perception escape from the fuzzy quantum world in the first place.
Finally, since we are all here this system implies there has always been someone or something capable of measurement observing the universe for it to come into being in the first place - without any measurement presumably the universe itself which does exist would just be a superposition of states. So this theory seems to argue for a God of some sort that enabled the universe itself to be actualised!
It is partly due to the measurement problem that many now either think no theory is correct or moves people to move to the many worlds interpretation which is explained in another thread.
What are your thoughts on the measurement problem, and which interpretation, if any, of quantum mechanics do you favour? Join the club and post!
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