Operational Status of Complete Knowledge of the Quantum Wave-Function

Ascertain whether the notion of complete knowledge of a closed system’s quantum wave-function admits an operational, empirically grounded definition, given that measurements inevitably disturb the wave-function.

Background

The paper argues that even setting aside practical difficulties, theoretical challenges arise when attempting to ground determinism about behavior in quantum mechanics. While unitary evolution is deterministic for closed systems, the relation between the wave-function and experienced outcomes is subtle.

Because measurements alter the wave-function, the meaning of having "complete knowledge" of it may fail to correspond to any feasible operational procedure, raising a foundational question about the empirical status of such completeness.