Seeking Quantum Waves

Quantum theory has thrown new light on our understanding of physical properties. Notably the epistemological reflection on the nature of quantum waves has made clear to what extent our knowledge of the external world is dependent on the process of measurement. Gino Tarozzi has been deeply engaged in this reflection; not solely he has contributed to the philosophical debate on the meaning of quantum waves, but he has also designed experiments to probe their ‘existence’. My purpose, in what follows, shall be to contrast his ‘realistic’ interpretation of the wave function with local realism. Such a contrast illuminates the relational character of quantum physical properties and leads to recognize the ‘existence’ of quantum waves by their interference effects.