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 | ||||||
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| 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 |
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| Depositing User: | Dr. Louis Vervoort | ||||||
| Date Deposited: | 14 Oct 2020 13:38 | ||||||
| Last Modified: | 14 Oct 2020 13:38 | ||||||
| Item ID: | 18223 | ||||||
| Subjects: | General Issues > Causation General Issues > Determinism/Indeterminism Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Gravity Specific Sciences > Probability/Statistics Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics |
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| Date: | 3 January 2020 | ||||||
| URI: | https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/18223 |
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The hypothesis of “hidden variables” as a unifying principle in physics. (deposited 06 Jan 2020 21:17)
- The hypothesis of “hidden variables” as a unifying principle in physics. (deposited 14 Oct 2020 13:38) [Currently Displayed]
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