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Conspiracy Theories of Quantum Mechanics

Lewis, Peter J. (2005) Conspiracy Theories of Quantum Mechanics. [Preprint]

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Abstract

It has long been recognized that a local hidden-variable theory of quantum mechanics can in principle be constructed, provided one is willing to countenance pre-measurement correlations between the properties of measured systems and measuring devices. However, this “conspiratorial” approach is typically dismissed out of hand. In this paper I examine the justification for dismissing conspiracy theories of quantum mechanics. I consider the existing arguments against such theories, and find them to be less than conclusive. I suggest a more powerful argument against the leading strategy for constructing a conspiracy theory. Finally, I outline two alternative strategies for constructing conspiracy theories, both of which are immune to these arguments, but require one to either modify or reject the common cause principle.


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Item Type: Preprint
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Lewis, Peter J.
Keywords: hidden variables, Bell's theorem, measurement problem, locality, common cause, backwards causation
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Depositing User: Peter J. Lewis
Date Deposited: 13 Dec 2005
Last Modified: 07 Oct 2010 15:13
Item ID: 2561
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Date: December 2005
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/2561

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