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Not throwing out the baby with the bathwater: Bell's condition of local causality mathematically 'sharp and clean'

Seevinck, M.P. and Uffink, J. (2010) Not throwing out the baby with the bathwater: Bell's condition of local causality mathematically 'sharp and clean'. [Preprint]

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Abstract

The starting point of the present paper is Bell’s notion of local causality and his own sharpening of it so as to provide for mathematical formalisation. Starting with Norsen’s (2007 [15], 2009 [16]) analysis of this formalisation, it is subjected to a critique that reveals two crucial aspects that have so far not been properly taken into account. These are (i) the correct understanding of the notions of sufficiency, completeness and redundancy involved; and (ii) the fact that the apparatus settings and measurement outcomes have very different theoretical roles in the candidate theories under study. Both aspects are not adequately incorporated in the standard formalisation, and we will therefore do so. The upshot of our analysis is a more detailed, sharp and clean mathematical expression of the condition of local causality. A preliminary analysis of the repercussions of our proposal shows that it is able to locate exactly where and how the notions of locality and causality are involved in formalising Bell’s condition of local causality.


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Item Type: Preprint
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Seevinck, M.P.m.p.seevinck@science.ru.nl
Uffink, J.j.b.m.uffink@uu.nl
Additional Information: To be published in PSE volume "Explanation, Prediction, and Confirmation", edited by Dieks, et al.
Keywords: sufficiency, local causality, Bell, quantum theory, local realism
Subjects: General Issues > Causation
Specific Sciences > Physics > Classical Physics
General Issues > Determinism/Indeterminism
General Issues > Laws of Nature
Specific Sciences > Probability/Statistics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
General Issues > Structure of Theories
Depositing User: Dr. Michael Patrick Seevinck
Date Deposited: 30 Oct 2010 12:55
Last Modified: 30 Oct 2010 13:00
Item ID: 8360
Subjects: General Issues > Causation
Specific Sciences > Physics > Classical Physics
General Issues > Determinism/Indeterminism
General Issues > Laws of Nature
Specific Sciences > Probability/Statistics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
General Issues > Structure of Theories
Date: 2010
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/8360

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