THE FATE OF INFORMATION IN BLACK HOLES: BRIDGING QUANTUM MECHANICS AND GRAVITY

Abstract

The black hole information paradox represents one of the most profound challenges at the intersection of quantum mechanics and general relativity. Arising from Hawking’s prediction that black holes emit thermal radiation, the paradox questions whether information that falls into a black hole is irretrievably lost, thereby violating the principle of unitarity in quantum mechanics. This paper examines the conceptual foundations of the information paradox by integrating insights from quantum foundations, ontology, and approaches to quantum gravity. Drawing on ontological models of quantum mechanics, process-theoretic perspectives, axiomatic reconstructions of quantum theory, and studies of quantum interference, the analysis explores how notions such as contextuality, emergence, and invariance shape our understanding of information. The role of entanglement and nonlocal correlations is emphasized as central to any viable resolution of the paradox. In addition, the paper reviews progress from gauge/gravity duality and numerical studies of quantum gravity, which suggest that information may be preserved through holographic encoding and unitary evolution. By synthesizing philosophical, theoretical, and mathematical perspectives, the paper argues that the apparent loss of information reflects limitations of classical descriptions rather than a fundamental breakdown of quantum theory. Ultimately, the black hole information paradox is presented as a catalyst for rethinking the nature of information, measurement, and physical reality in the pursuit of a consistent theory of quantum gravity.