The Measurement Paradox Viewed Through Systemic Functional Linguistics

Davies & Gribbin (1992: 209-10):

The role of the observer is highlighted by what is known as the measurement paradox. Suppose, for the sake of argument, that the wave corresponding to an electron is confined to a box and the particle is equally likely to be found anywhere inside the box. Then imagine that a partition is slid into the box, dividing it into two equal halves (Figure 35).

According to the quantum rules, the wave is still present in both halves of the box, reflecting the fact that when we look for the electron we are equally likely to find it on either side of the partition. Common sense, however, would dictate that the electron can be in only either one half of the box or the other. Suppose, now, that someone looks inside the box and finds the electron in one particular half. Clearly the probability wave must abruptly disappear from the other half of the box, because it is now known with certainty to be empty.

Blogger Comments:

From the perspective of Systemic Functional Linguistic Theory, the wave models the potential locations of an electron in terms of probability. As potential, the wave is not in the box, partitioned or otherwise, because only the observed instance of that potential, the particle, is actual, and so actually in the box.

The measurement paradox only arises because physicists ignore Born's explanation of the wave as a wave of probability, or are unaware that probability measures potentiality, not actuality, and ignore the distinction between potential and its actual instances.