GENERAL THEORY OF OBSERVATION AND CONTROL.
Abstract
The basic concepts of observation and control are discussed in relation to available mathematical methods. It is pointed out that if quantum mechanics is taken as a model of observation and control, its known logical difficulties provide a potent test of the adequacy and power of a general theory. Quantum theory is considered as a special case of observation and control characterised by a three-way symmetry (triality). This implies a revision of the theory of measurement and some definite consequences for the groups of continuous transformations admitted by the theory and their representations. In general, this may be regarded as a first step toward an adequate characterisation of the role of the observer in a more general theory. Uncertainty is taken here to be essentially the same as undecidability for mathematical logic. If this is correct, then the methods of the two theories could be to some extent interchangeable. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 30, 1965
- Accession Number
- AD0619949
Entities
People
- Marcus C. Goodall
Organizations
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology