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Reformulating Bell's Theorem: The Search for a Truly Local Quantum Theory

Waegell, Mordecai and McQueen, Kelvin J. (2020) Reformulating Bell's Theorem: The Search for a Truly Local Quantum Theory. [Preprint]

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Abstract

The apparent nonlocality of quantum theory has been a persistent concern. Einstein et. al. (1935) and Bell (1964) emphasized the apparent nonlocality arising from entanglement correlations. While some interpretations embrace this nonlocality, modern variations of the Everett-inspired many worlds interpretation try to circumvent it. In this paper, we review Bell's "no-go" theorem and explain how it rests on three axioms, local causality, no superdeterminism, and one world. Although Bell is often taken to have shown that local causality is ruled out by the experimentally confirmed entanglement correlations, we make clear that it is the conjunction of the three axioms that is ruled out by these correlations. We then show that by assuming local causality and no superdeterminism, we can give a direct proof of many worlds. The remainder of the paper searches for a consistent, local, formulation of many worlds. We show that prominent formulations whose ontology is given by the wave function violate local causality, and we critically evaluate claims in the literature to the contrary. We ultimately identify a local many worlds interpretation that replaces the wave function with a separable Lorentz-invariant wave-field. We conclude with discussions of the Born rule, and other interpretations of quantum mechanics.


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Item Type: Preprint
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Waegell, Mordecaiwaegell@chapman.edu
McQueen, Kelvin J.mcqueen@chapman.edu
Keywords: Bell's Theorem, EPR, Many Worlds, nonlocality, Local causality, Measurement problem, Everett.
Subjects: General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics
General Issues > Causation
General Issues > Determinism/Indeterminism
Specific Sciences > Physics
Specific Sciences > Probability/Statistics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory
Depositing User: Dr. Kelvin J. McQueen
Date Deposited: 04 Mar 2020 03:25
Last Modified: 09 Mar 2020 16:29
Item ID: 16963
Subjects: General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics
General Issues > Causation
General Issues > Determinism/Indeterminism
Specific Sciences > Physics
Specific Sciences > Probability/Statistics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory
Date: March 2020
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/16963

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