Vervoort, Louis (2020) The hypothesis of “hidden variables” as a unifying principle in physics. [Preprint]

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Abstract

In the debate whether ‘hidden variables’ could exist underneath quantum probabilities, the ‘no hidden-variables’ position is at present favored. In this article I attempt to provide a more equilibrated verdict, by pointing towards the heuristic and explanatory power of the hidden-variables hypothesis, in particular in its deterministic form. I argue that this hypothesis can answer three foundational questions, whereas the opposing thesis (‘no hidden variables’) remains entirely silent for them. These questions are: 1) How to interpret probabilistic correlation ? (a question considered by Kolmogorov “one of the most important problems in the philosophy of the natural sciences”, and first analysed by Reichenbach); 2) How to interpret the Central Limit Theorem ?; and 3) Are there degrees of freedom that could unify quantum field theories and general relativity, and if so, can we (at least qualitatively) specify them ? It appears that only the hidden-variables hypothesis can provide coherent answers to these problems; answers which can be mathematically justified in the deterministic case. This suggests that the hidden-variables hypothesis should be considered a legitimate candidate as a guiding, unifying principle in the foundations of physics.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Vervoort, Louis louisvervoort@hotmail.com
Keywords:	hidden variables; determinism; indeterminism; probability; quantum mechanics; Reichenbach's principle; Central Limit Theorem; Bell's theorem
Subjects:	General Issues > Causation General Issues > Determinism/Indeterminism Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Gravity Specific Sciences > Probability/Statistics Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Depositing User:	Dr. Louis Vervoort
Date Deposited:	06 Jan 2020 21:17
Last Modified:	06 Jan 2020 21:17
Item ID:	16781
Subjects:	General Issues > Causation General Issues > Determinism/Indeterminism Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Gravity Specific Sciences > Probability/Statistics Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Date:	3 January 2020
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/16781

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  • The hypothesis of “hidden variables” as a unifying principle in physics. (deposited 14 Oct 2020 13:38)

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