Decompositional equivalence

a fundamental symmetry underlying quantum theory

Chris Fields

pp. 279-311

in: Axiomathes 26 (3), 2016.

Abstract

Decompositional equivalence is the principle that there is no preferred decomposition of the universe into subsystems. It is shown here, by using a simple thought experiment, that quantum theory follows from decompositional equivalence together with Landauer's principle. This demonstration raises within physics a question previously left to psychology: how do human—or any—observers identify or agree about what constitutes a "system of interest"?