Philosophical Consequences of Quantum Theory Reflections on Bell's Theorem [Paperback]

From the beginning, the implications of quantum theory for our most general understanding of the world have been a matter of intense debate. Einstein argues that the theory had to be regarded as fundamentally incomplete. Its inability, for example, to predict the exact time of decay of a single radioactive atom had to be due to a failure of the theory and not due to a permanent inability on our part or a fundamental indeterminism in nature itself.

 

In 1964, John Bell derived a theorem which showed that any deterministic theory which preserved locality (i.e., which rejected action at a distance) would have certain consequences for measurements performed at a distance from one another. An experimental check seems to show that these consequences are not, in fact, realized. The correlation between the sets of events is much stronger than any local deterministic theory could allow. What is more, this stronger correlation is precisely that which is predicted by quantum theory. The astonishing result is that local deterministic theories of the classical sort seem to be permanently excluded. Not only can the individual decay not be predicted, but no future theory can ever predict it. The contributors in this volume wrestle with this conclusion. Some welcome it; others leave open a return to at least some kind of deterministic world, one which must however allow something like action-at-a distance.

The papers collected here demonstrate how analytic philosophy of science should be done. Quantum mechanics may be mysterious in some of its aspects, but those who wish to peddle mysticism on the basis on quantum theory would do well to stay away from this excellent collection of philosophical essays. —Canadian Philosophical Reviews

 

 

Prominent philosopher-scientists, from Abner Shimony to Paul Teller, contribute articles . . . detailing presumptions and ambiguities of quantum measlS!