Agents governed by quantum mechanics can use it intersubjectively and consistently

Abstract

Following Frauchiger and Renner's discovery of a conflict between quantum mechanics and certain commonsense reasoning axioms, much work has gone into finding alternative axiomatizations that can avoid the conflict. However, this body of work is largely based on specific interpretations of quantum mechanics, and at times employs specialized formalism that may be inaccessible to mainstream quantum information experts. Taking an interpretation-agnostic approach, we propose a simple operational principle called superpositional solipsism to aid rational agents in making situational inferences. We show that the principle leads to sound inferences in all operationally-relevant instances. Along the way, we discuss certain subtleties about the Frauchiger--Renner result that may have gone hithertofore unnoticed.