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Two of the most difficult problems in the foundations of physics are (1) whatgives rise to the arrow of time and (2) what the ontology of quantum mechanicsis. They are difficult because the fundamental dynamical laws of physics do notprivilege an arrow of time, and the quantum-mechanical wave function describesa high-dimensional reality that is radically different from our ordinaryexperiences.  In this paper, I characterize and elaborate on the ''Wentaculus'' theory, anew approach to time's arrow in a quantum universe that offers a unifiedsolution to both problems. Central to the Wentaculus are (i) Density MatrixRealism, the idea that the quantum state of the universe is objective but canbe impure, and (ii) the Initial Projection Hypothesis, a new law of nature thatselects a unique initial quantum state. On the Wentaculus, the quantum state ofthe universe is sufficiently simple to be a law, and the arrow of time can betraced back to an exact boundary condition. It removes the intrinsic vaguenessof the Past Hypothesis, eliminates the Statistical Postulate, provides a higherdegree of theoretical unity, and contains a natural realization of ''strongdeterminism.'' I end by responding to four recent objections. In a companionpaper, I elaborate on Density Matrix Realism.

The Wentaculus: Density Matrix Realism Meets the Arrow of Time