Superselection Rules (SSR) as a Social Theory
Superselection Rules (SSR) as a Social Theory Abstract This paper explores an analogous application of superselection rules (SSR) from quantum physics to social, cognitive, and institutional systems. In quantum mechanics, SSR impose structural constraints that prevent coherent superpositions across distinct sectors. Translated to social theory, these rules suggest that genuine progress in societies arises not from attempting to merge incompatible sectors, but from accumulating meaningful differences within shared operational domains. This framework illuminates phenomena such as polarization, institutional boundaries, and the necessity of shared reference frames for effective dialogue. I. Geometric representation of Hilbert spaces in quantum mechanics, illustrating the structured domains where coherent operations are possible. I. General Thesis Whether a system—be it physical, cognitive, or social—can make progress does not depend on the sheer number of possibilities it can imagine, bu...