CAN THE DECOHERENCE APPROACH HELP TO SOLVE THE MEASUREMENT PROBLEM

This work examines whether the environmentally-induced decoherence app roach in quantum mechanics brings us any closer to solving the measure ment problem, and whether it contributes to the elimination of subject ivism in quantum theory. A distinction is made between 'collapse' and 'decoherence', so that an explanation for decoherence does not imply a n explanation for collapse. After an overview of the measurement probl em and of the open-systems paradigm, we argue that taking a partial tr ace is equivalent to applying the projection postulate. A criticism of Zurek's decoherence approach to measurements is also made, based on t he restriction that he must impose on the interaction between apparatu s and environment. We then analyze the element of subjectivity involve d in establishing the boundary between system and environment, and cri ticize the incorporation of Everett's branching of memory records into the decoherence research program. Sticking to this program, we end by sketching a proposal for 'environmentally-induced collapse'.