Organizing Before Unifying: A Triadic Framework for Quantum Mechanics and General Relativity

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Authors: João Pedro Barra
Cited by: 0

Abstract

The persistent tension between Quantum Mechanics and General Relativity is commonly framed as the need for a deeper theory capable of unifying both within a single ontological structure. In this work, a different strategy is adopted. Rather than pursuing direct unification, we propose a triadic conceptual framework that emphasizes organization prior to unification, treating Quantum Mechanics and General Relativity as complementary descriptions of a single physical system operating under distinct epistemic commitments. Within this framework, each theory is assigned a specific functional role, and a third element—a principle of coherence—is introduced to clarify how these roles may be consistently related without reduction. Approaches grounded in information theory and quantum information are highlighted as natural candidates for articulating this coherence interface, given their ability to mediate between operational descriptions and structural constraints. It is argued that several well-known conflicts between the quantum and relativistic frameworks can be reinterpreted as tensions arising from mismatched levels of description rather than fundamental physical inconsistencies. The proposed approach is structural and organizational in nature, aiming to provide a conceptual map for existing and future work in the foundations of physics.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Relativity and Gravitational Theory Noncommutative and Quantum Gravity Theories Quantum Mechanics and Applications

Publication details

Journal / source
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Publication date
12 January 2026
Document type
Preprint