A skeptic's view on Bohmian Mechanics

[Demystifier]

I don't see how CH is consistent with BM.

They seem to be consistent FAPP:
https://arxiv.org/abs/quant-ph/0209104

 

[Demystifier]

You measure two far away spins in an Ising lattice. The pointers of the measurement apparata ...

To make it work, the experimentalist needs to do a lot of fine tuning (and the ability to do it is what makes him a good experimentalist). If such a correlation is not something what you want, it is very unlikely that it will happen spontaneously and ruin your intended experiment.

 

[Demystifier]

But $\left|\Psi\right|^2$ changes depending on $\Psi$ and specific $\Psi$ can have a form that contains correlations. On the other hand, the Boltzmann distribution is a distribution of minimum entropy.

By finding a Bohmian version of H-theorem, Valentini has shown that quantum equilibrium, in effect, also minimizes entropy.

 

[Demystifier]

CH doesn't forbid the classical rules of logic.

As I explained in
An argument against Bohmian mechanics?
it does. In classical logic, the statement Sx=+1∧Sy=−1 is either true or false, but it is a meaningful statement. In CH this statement is forbidden by claiming that it is meaningless. For me, it's a change of the rules of logic.

 

[rubi]

The way that I understand consistent histories (which is not all that well), there is a sense in which there is no dynamics. The laws of quantum mechanics (such as Schrodinger's equation, or QFT) are used to derive a probability distribution on histories. But within a history, you've just got an unfolding of events (or values of mutually commuting observables). You can't really talk about one event in a history causing or influencing another event. Locality to me is only meaningful in a dynamic view, where future events, or future values of variables are influenced by current events or current values of variables.

I don't really understand this criticism. The dynamics in CH is probabilistic. It's an extension of the theory of classical stochastic processes to the quantum regime. Would you say that there is no dynamics in Brownian motion? Aren't stock prices dynamic? Of course, you can only calculate probabilities, but you can ask for example, what is the probability for $X$ at time $t$, given $Y$ at time $0$. If this is non-zero, then $Y$ has a tendency to "cause" $X$. If the price of some stock is very high today, then it's not so likely that it drops to $0$ overnight, but you can never be sure.

But anyway, I would find it more interesting to restrict the discussion to whether Bohmian mechanics is superdeterministic or not, since this can be analyzed mathematically, while adopting CH is a matter of taste.

Right. If you assume locality, then the dependence of the measurement choices on $\lambda$ implies superdeterminism. But if you don't assume locality, then the dependence of $\lambda$ on the measurement choices doesn't imply superdeterminism.

I don't understand why not. If the formula for the correlations is $\int A(\lambda,\alpha,\beta) B(\lambda,\alpha,\beta) P(\lambda|\alpha,\beta)\mathrm d\lambda$, then changing $P$ will in general change the correlations, and thus the specifying the correct $\alpha$, $\beta$ dependent $P$ seems essential to reproduce the QM correlations. And if $P$ depends on $\alpha$, $\beta$ in Bohmian mechanics, then it seems like those are determined by the dynamics earlier, i.e. without the correct dynamical determination of $\alpha$ and $\beta$, BM is unable to reproduce the QM correlations, which sounds very superdeterministic to me.

However, I think Copenhagen is superior to CH. Copenhagen retains common sense and is more broadminded. Copenhagen is consistent with all interpretations (BM, CH, MWI), whereas I don't see how CH is consistent with BM.

I don't think of CH as a separate interpretation. It's rather an inevitable advancement of the vanilla formalism of QM. It's just not logically possible to reason about statements of the form $S_x=1\wedge S_y=1$. You will necessarily get probabilities that don't add up to $1$, independent of the interpretation. The single framework rule just formalizes how to obtain consistent statements. It's just that people intuitively apply the rules correctly in Copenhagen or other interpretations, except in those cases, in which they obtain paradoxes. I also don't see how CH is incompatible with BM (assuming BM reproduces QM).

Fine, let us say that I can't prove (with a level of rigor that would satisfy you) that BM is not superdeterministic. Can you prove that it is? As you can see, your arguments so far didn't convince me, and I claim (again, without a proof) that your arguments wouldn't convince Bell.

Up to now, I have carefully explained, where BM satisfies a criterion that Bell himself has proposed as a criterion that formalizes the notion of superdeterminism. So even, if the criterion does not actually imply superdeterminism, I have at least shown that BM satisfies a criterion that has been referred to as "superdeterminism". Now you have gone as far as to say that Bell is wrong and his inequality doesn't really rule out non-superdeterministic local hidden variable theories and one must really use Hardy's proof instead in order to obtain a definite result. I'm not sure Bell would agree with this. All I'm asking for is a convincing argument for why Bell's notion doesn't imply superdeterminism, but so far you have only stated your opinion.

Anyway, if you claim that BM is superdeterministic, this is certainly an important claim (provided that it is correct), so I would suggest you to try to convince a referee of an important physics journal.

Maybe I will, but it has a pretty low priority for me.

To make it work, the experimentalist needs to do a lot of fine tuning (and the ability to do it is what makes him a good experimentalist). If such a correlation is not something what you want, it is very unlikely that it will happen spontaneously and ruin your intended experiment.

The Ising model is used to describe magnetism and it has been well-tested that there is long range order in magnets. See this link.

By finding a Bohmian version of H-theorem, Valentini has shown that quantum equilibrium, in effect, also minimizes entropy.

Boltzmann's H-theorem (which relies on the Stosszahlansatz, which is difficult to prove in general) states that the entropy of a single-particle distribution always grows. Hence it will eventually attain its maximum, which is given by the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution. It doesn't imply that the phase space distribution is given by a maximum entropy distribution. This is much more difficult to prove.
I suppose Valentini has some analogous theorem, which states that some quantity always grows and it's maximum is attained for $\left|\Psi\right|^2$. This doesn't imply that it has maximum entropy. On the contrary, every distribution can be realized as $\left|\Psi\right|^2$ for some $\Psi$. I only need to take the square-root. Let $P=\left|\Psi\right|^2$ be any distribution, hence in $L^1$. Then $\Psi$ will be an admissible quantum state in some $L^2$ space. Thus, $\left|\Psi\right|^2$ will usually not maximize entropy.

As I explained in
An argument against Bohmian mechanics?
it does. In classical logic, the statement Sx=+1∧Sy=−1 is either true or false, but it is a meaningful statement. In CH this statement is forbidden by claiming that it is meaningless. For me, it's a change of the rules of logic.

$S_x=+1\wedge S_x=-1$ is not a meaningful statement in any interpretation. You will inevitably get probabilities that don't add up to $1$ and violate classical logic if you allow such statements. The single framework rule just tells you which statements are meaningful, so you can use classical logic to argue about them.

 

[Demystifier]

So even, if the criterion does not actually imply superdeterminism, I have at least shown that BM satisfies a criterion that has been referred to as "superdeterminism".

Fine, I can agree with that.

All I'm asking for is a convincing argument for why Bell's notion doesn't imply superdeterminism, but so far you have only stated your opinion.

I'm sorry that my argument is not sufficiently convincing for you. But Bell also argued against superdeterminism. Did you find his arguments more convincing?

Maybe I will, but it has a pretty low priority for me.

May I ask what is your main research area (if research is what you do for living anyway)?

$S_x=+1\wedge S_z=-1$ is not a meaningful statement in any interpretation.

As I already mentioned, Holland found a counterexample in his book on Bohmian mechanics.

 

[rubi]

I'm sorry that my argument is not sufficiently convincing for you. But Bell also argued against superdeterminism. Did you find his arguments more convincing?

Well, Bell has argued that we should reject superdeterministic theories and I agree with him, but did he argue that BM is not superdeterministic? Was is even known to him that BM requires the the inclusion of full measurement theory in order to reproduce QM? I thought this was a farily recent result.

May I ask what is your main research area (if research is what you do for living anyway)?

Mostly canonical quantum gravity, but also topics in axiomatic QFT. I can't be more specific, since there are only a few people with that combination and I'd prefer to stay anonymous.

As I already mentioned, Holland found a counterexample in his book on Bohmian mechanics.

Yes, but it must exploit the $d=2$ loophole of the KS theorem. I don't see how you can allow arbitrary logical connections of quantum propositions in $d>2$ without getting some contradiction with QM. It's a no-go theorem after all.

 

[Demystifier]

Depends on the particular model.

If, in some models, classical mechanics can be superdeterministic, and classical mechanics (as an approximation) is perfectly acceptable theory, then superdeterminism is also acceptable. If so, then I see no problem with the idea that BM may also be superdeterministic.

Of course, classical mechanics is generally not considered to be superdeterministic. I have tried to explain why it is not considered superdeterministic, and why, by a similar criterion, BM is also not superdeterministic. If you have a different criterion, by which both can be superdeterministic, I am fine with that too.

 

[Demystifier]

Was is even known to him that BM requires the the inclusion of full measurement theory in order to reproduce QM? I thought this was a farily recent result.

Yes, it was very well known by him. And it is not a recent result, because it was discovered by Bohm in 1951.

Mostly canonical quantum gravity, but also topics in axiomatic QFT. I can't be more specific, since there are only a few people with that combination and I'd prefer to stay anonymous.

Fair enough! By contrast, anyone can check my inSPIRE record
http://inspirehep.net/search?ln=en&...hcs&action_search=Search&sf=earliestdate&so=d

Yes, but it must exploit the $d=2$ loophole of the KS theorem.

No, as I already explained, it does not exploit the $d=2$ loophole. It exploits the contextuality loophole. KS theorem shows that non-contextual hidden variables are impossible (except for $d=2$). But contextual hidden variables are not restricted by the KS theorem.

 

[rubi]

If, in some models, classical mechanics can be superdeterministic, and classical mechanics (as an approximation) is perfectly acceptable theory, then superdeterminism is also acceptable. If so, then I see no problem with the idea that BM may also be superdeterministic.

Of course, classical mechanics is generally not considered to be superdeterministic. I have tried to explain why it is not considered superdeterministic, and why, by a similar criterion, BM is also not superdeterministic. If you have a different criterion, by which both can be superdeterministic, I am fine with that too.

Okay, but if superdeterminism was admissible in a physical theory, then why aren't we looking for a (superdeterministic) local hidden variable model instead? (Even if you don't like CH, Hardy's paradox and GHZ are certainly compatible with superdeterministic locality as well.) There would be no need to give up locality and to introduce preferred frames and violate Lorentz symmetry.

Yes, it was very well known by him. And it is not a recent result, because it was discovered by Bohm in 1951.

That seems odd, since the theory of decoherence, which your argument seems to rely on, was developed in the 70's.

No, as I already explained, it does not exploit the $d=2$ loophole. It exploits the contextuality loophole. KS theorem shows that non-contextual hidden variables are impossible (except for $d=2$). But contextual hidden variables are not restricted by the KS theorem.

But in a contextual theory, the statement is not really $S_x=+1\wedge S_y=-1$, but rather $\text{In the context A}, S_x=+1\wedge \text{In the context B}, S_y=-1$. You can never have $\text{In the context A}, S_x=+1\wedge S_y=-1$. This is exactly what the single framework rule in CH says. You can never argue about $S_x$ and $S_y$ in the same context. There is nothing mysterious about it.

 

[stevendaryl]

I don't understand why not. If the formula for the correlations is $\int A(\lambda,\alpha,\beta) B(\lambda,\alpha,\beta) P(\lambda|\alpha,\beta)\mathrm d\lambda$, then changing $P$ will in general change the correlations, and thus the specifying the correct $\alpha$, $\beta$ dependent $P$ seems essential to reproduce the QM correlations. And if $P$ depends on $\alpha$, $\beta$ in Bohmian mechanics, then it seems like those are determined by the dynamics earlier, i.e. without the correct dynamical determination of $\alpha$ and $\beta$, BM is unable to reproduce the QM correlations, which sounds very superdeterministic to me.

Well, let me make up a particular model that is nonlocal, but not superdeterministic, and which agrees with the predictions of quantum mechanics:

Alice's detector has a setting, $\alpha$, which can take on a value from $0$ to $2\pi$, representing a direction in the x-y plane. Similarly, Bob's detector has a setting, $\beta$, which represents an angle in the x-y plane.

$\lambda$ in this model has 4 possible values:

1. $\lambda_{uu}$
2. $\lambda_{ud}$
3. $\lambda_{du}$
4. $\lambda_{dd}$

These values determine Alice's result $A$ and Bob's result, $B$ in the obvious way:

1. $A(\lambda_{uu}) = A(\lambda_{ud}) = B(\lambda_{uu}) = B(\lambda_{du}) = +1$
2. $A(\lambda_{du}) = A(\lambda_{dd}) = B(\lambda_{ud}) = B(\lambda_{dd}) = -1$

Initially, all 4 values of $\lambda$ are equally likely, with probability 1/4. If at any time, the value of $\alpha$ or $\beta$ changes (or when they are set for the first time), then the value of $\lambda$ changes nondeterministically:

If $\alpha$ changes, then

• $\lambda_{uu} \Rightarrow \lambda_{uu}$ with probability $sin^2(\frac{\alpha - \beta}{2})$
• $\lambda_{uu} \Rightarrow \lambda_{ud}$ with probability $cos^2(\frac{\alpha - \beta}{2})$
• $\lambda_{ud} \Rightarrow \lambda_{ud}$ with probability $cos^2(\frac{\alpha - \beta}{2})$
• $\lambda_{ud} \Rightarrow \lambda_{uu}$ with probability $sin^2(\frac{\alpha - \beta}{2})$

If $\beta$ changes, then

• $\lambda_{uu} \Rightarrow \lambda_{uu}$ with probability $sin^2(\frac{\alpha - \beta}{2})$
• $\lambda_{uu} \Rightarrow \lambda_{du}$ with probability $cos^2(\frac{\alpha - \beta}{2})$
• $\lambda_{ud} \Rightarrow \lambda_{ud}$ with probability $cos^2(\frac{\alpha - \beta}{2})$
• $\lambda_{ud} \Rightarrow \lambda_{dd}$ with probability $sin^2(\frac{\alpha - \beta}{2})$

Note that the value of $\lambda$ is allowed to change in-flight. But that's fine if you allow nonlocal interactions.

If I did this correctly, this is just the "collapse" interpretation dressed up in the language of hidden variables, but the "collapse" interpretation shows that superdeterminism is not implied by the quantum EPR predictions.

 

[rubi]

Hmm... So what is the function $P(\lambda|\alpha,\beta)$ in this model and why don't $A$ and $B$ depend on $\alpha$ and $\beta$? Also, why does $\lambda$ change in a probabilistic way? If we want to check for superdeterminism, we must first of all have a deterministic theory.

 

[Demystifier]

Okay, but if superdeterminism was admissible in a physical theory, then why aren't we looking for a (superdeterministic) local hidden variable model instead?

The general idea is that only "soft" superdeterminism is admissible, i.e. superdeterminism which does not involve some kind of conspiracy in initial conditions. But what exactly is conspiracy? Unfortunately, there is no precise definition. Is thermal equilibrium a conspiracy? Is quantum equilibrium a conspiracy? Is 't Hooft's theory of local hidden variables a conspiracy? As you may guess, opinions differ.

That seems odd, since the theory of decoherence, which your argument seems to rely on, was developed in the 70's.

In a sense, Bohm's work was a precursor to decoherence. But Bohm was not the first. Before him, von Neumann had similar insights in 1932.

But in a contextual theory, the statement is not really $S_x=+1\wedge S_y=-1$, but rather $\text{In the context A}, S_x=+1\wedge \text{In the context B}, S_y=-1$. You can never have $\text{In the context A}, S_x=+1\wedge S_y=-1$. This is exactly what the single framework rule in CH says. You can never argue about $S_x$ and $S_y$ in the same context. There is nothing mysterious about it.

As you say, this is contextuality in the CH framework. But in the framework of hidden variable theories, contextuality is interpreted in a slightly different way.

Note also the following. In BM, particle at a given instant of time has both position and momentum (velocity times mass). And yet, in the FAPP sense, it makes the same predictions as standard QM. If you think it's impossible, note again that I said FAPP. The FAPP acronym was devised by Bell, and one always needs to have the FAPP caveat in mind when thinking about BM. Without the FAPP caveat, BM looks impossible, wrong, inconsistent, or in contradiction with experiments. One must learn the FAPP way of thinking to understand how BM leads to the same predictions as standard QM.

 

[stevendaryl]

Hmm... So what is the function $P(\lambda|\alpha,\beta)$ in this model and why don't $A$ and $B$ depend on $\alpha$ and $\beta$?

Well, if $\lambda$ depends on $\alpha$ and $\beta$, and $A$ depends on $\lambda$, then indirectly, $A$ depends on $\alpha$ and $\beta$.

Also, why does $\lambda$ change in a probabilistic way? If we want to check for superdeterminism, we must first of all have a deterministic theory.

If something is not deterministic, then it surely is not superdeterministic, either. The point is to show that having $\lambda$ depend on $\alpha$ and $\beta$ does not imply superdeterminism.

I was about to remark that any classically probabilistic model can be turned into a deterministic model by introducing yet more hidden variables, but it occurs to me that that isn't completely trivial. It's trivial if you assume that there are only finitely many probabilistic "choices" that need to be made, but if there are potentially infinitely many, I'm not sure.

 

[stevendaryl]

The general idea is that only "soft" superdeterminism is admissible, i.e. superdeterminism which does not involve some kind of conspiracy in initial conditions. But what exactly is conspiracy? Unfortunately, there is no precise definition. Is thermal equilibrium a conspiracy? Is quantum equilibrium a conspiracy? Is 't Hooft's theory of local hidden variables a conspiracy? As you may guess, opinions differ.

To me, it's superdeterminism if the explanation for why something happened can potential involve fine-tuning the initial conditions of the entire universe.

That's the situation with EPR. The superdeterminism loophole to Bell's inequality would require that Alice's and Bob's choices (what axes to measure spin relative to) are determined ahead of time (and so the hidden-variable $\lambda$ can be chosen so as to take into account those choices). It's not that difficult (for me) to imagine that Alice and Bob are themselves deterministic state machines at the microscopic level. However, Alice and Bob don't have to "generate" a free choice on their own. They can base their choice on external conditions---maybe choose this or that based on radioactive decay, or the result of a soccer game, or the presence or absence of a shooting star during a particular moment, or whatever. So that's what I mean by fine-tuning of the entire universe. A hypothetical superdeterministic model would have to use Alice's and Bob's determinism to predict what their choices will, but those choices might be to defer the decision to another event, which could potentially involve anything.

I'm not 100% sure about the argument against superdeterminism, though. If you take a movie of the universe and run it backwards, it looks superdeterministic. So using superdeterminism to argue against something implicitly assumes an arrow of time which itself is unexplained. Maybe the superdeterminism required for a local hidden-variables model of QM is somehow connected to the arrow of time?

The other approach, weird in its own way, is the retrocausal approach. Rather than choosing the value of $\lambda$ by some potentially enormous calculation involving the entire universe to figure out Alice's and Bob's choices, you just let them make their choices however they want to, and then allow a back-in-time transmission of information communicate these choices to the moment $\lambda$ is decided. It seems to me that there is a sense in which a retrocausal model will look superdeterminism: $\lambda$ is chosen taking Alice's and Bob's future choices into account. It's just a mechanism to explain the seeming superdeterminism.

Getting back on-topic: There should be a definitive answer, one way or the other, about whether BM requires superdeterminism of the conspiracy kind. I don't see that it does.

 

[Demystifier]

To me, it's superdeterminism if the explanation for why something happened can potential involve fine-tuning the initial conditions of the entire universe.

Exactly! But the problem is to give a precise definition of "fine".

Getting back on-topic: There should be a definitive answer, one way or the other, about whether BM requires superdeterminism of the conspiracy kind. I don't see that it does.

Neither do I. But some think that quantum equilibrium is a conspiracy. Unfortunately, it's impossible to give a rigorous proof that it isn't, because there is no precise definition of conspiracy.

 

[rubi]

The general idea is that only "soft" superdeterminism is admissible, i.e. superdeterminism which does not involve some kind of conspiracy in initial conditions. But what exactly is conspiracy? Unfortunately, there is no precise definition. Is thermal equilibrium a conspiracy? Is quantum equilibrium a conspiracy? Is 't Hooft's theory of local hidden variables a conspiracy? As you may guess, opinions differ.

This guy claims to have a superdeterministic local hidden variables model for the EPRB correlations that retains more free will (in a quantifiable way) than non-local models. I didn't study it in depth, but it seems like if we allow superdeterminism at all, then you can get along with soft superdeterminism in local hidden variable models as well.

As you say, this is contextuality in the CH framework. But in the framework of hidden variable theories, contextuality is interpreted in a slightly different way.

You can certainly interpret it in many ways, but the no-go theorem says that you can't form statements of the form $S_x=+1\wedge S_y=-1$ without somehow including a reference to the context. Bohmian mechanics can't circumvent this necessity.

Note also the following. In BM, particle at a given instant of time has both position and momentum (velocity times mass). And yet, in the FAPP sense, it makes the same predictions as standard QM. If you think it's impossible, note again that I said FAPP. The FAPP acronym was devised by Bell, and one always needs to have the FAPP caveat in mind when thinking about BM. Without the FAPP caveat, BM looks impossible, wrong, inconsistent, or in contradiction with experiments. One must learn the FAPP way of thinking to understand BM.

I don't know how this works exactly in BM, but you can also make such FAPP statements in CH by taking coarse grained families of histories or maybe computing Wigner quasidistributions and cutting off the negative parts and so on.

Well, if $\lambda$ depends on $\alpha$ and $\beta$, and $A$ depends on $\lambda$, then indirectly, $A$ depends on $\alpha$ and $\beta$.

Well, I was asking about $P(\lambda|\alpha,\beta)$ in order to compare it to Bell's formula, because I wasn't sure whether I understood your example.

If something is not deterministic, then it surely is not superdeterministic, either. The point is to show that having $\lambda$ depend on $\alpha$ and $\beta$ does not imply superdeterminism.

But the situation is different in BM. Not $\alpha$ or $\beta$ determine $\lambda$, but $\lambda$ determines $\alpha$ and $\beta$. The initial conditions must be such that the detector settings attain the values that produce the correct correlations and this is the case if and only if they have been tuned to be distributed according to $\left|\Psi\right|^2$. A wrong initial distribution of the hidden variables will produce deviations from the QM predictions.

 

[Demystifier]

You can certainly interpret it in many ways, but the no-go theorem says that you can't form statements of the form $S_x=+1\wedge S_y=-1$ without somehow including a reference to the context. Bohmian mechanics can't circumvent this necessity.

Sure, you must somehow include a reference to the context. Copenhagen does it in one way, CH in another way, and BM in a third way.

 

[stevendaryl]

But the situation is different in BM. Not $\alpha$ or $\beta$ determine $\lambda$, but $\lambda$ determines $\alpha$ and $\beta$. The initial conditions must be such that the detector settings attain the values that produce the correct correlations and this is the case if and only if they have been tuned to be distributed according to $\left|\Psi\right|^2$. A wrong initial distribution of the hidden variables will produce deviations from the QM predictions.

Ah. I see what you mean now. The $\lambda$ for Bohm is basically the positions of everything in the universe, which of course determines Alice's and Bob's settings. On the other hand, the reasons for rejecting superdeterminism, which is the feeling of things happening by conspiracy, don't seem to apply. So I think that it shows that our definition of superdeterminism of the bad kind needs to be refined.

I'll have to think about it.

 

[Demystifier]

or maybe computing Wigner quasidistributions and cutting off the negative parts and so on.

Wigner quasidistribution is an interesting quantity for comparison with BM. For a Wigner quasidistribution $W(x,p)$ we have
$$\int dp W(x,p)=|\psi(x)|^2$$
$$\int dx W(x,p)=|\tilde{\psi}(p)|^2$$
In BM there is a true (positive definite) distribution $\rho(x,p)$ which, in general, satisfies
$$\int dp \rho(x,p)=|\psi(x)|^2$$
$$\int dx \rho(x,p) \neq |\tilde{\psi}(p)|^2$$
At first sight, the last inequality (compatible with the KS theorem) looks like a serious problem. Nevertheless, it is not a true problem because $\rho(x,p)$ depends on the context, and in the context in which $p$ is measured one has
$$\int dx \rho(x,p) \simeq |\tilde{\psi}(p)|^2$$
where $\simeq$ is an equality in the FAPP sense.

 

[DejanK]

My point is that EPR realism can be dropped in many different ways. Solipsism is one way, but there are also others. What is the "right" way?

As one possible meaning, let me copy-paste from my presentation at a conference:

1.2 Making sense of local non-reality

- One interpretation of Bell theorem: local non-reality
- Physics is local, but there is no reality.

- Does it mean that nothing really exists?
- That would be a nonsense!

Here is what it should really mean:

- Physics is not a theory of everything.
- Something of course exists, but that’s not the subject of physics.
- Physics is not about reality of nature,
it is only about what we can say about nature.
- In physics we should only talk about measurable stuff.
- It’s important to talk also about non-measurable stuff,
but just because it’s important is not a reason to call it physics.

Bell theorem ⇒ reality is non-local
- logically correct, but that is not physics

QM ⇒ signal locality
- that is measurable, so that is physics

In short, “local non-reality” should mean:
- Reality is non-local.
- Physics is about the measurable, which is local.

- In that form, local non-reality does not necessarily
need to be accepted, but at least can be reasonably debated.

I believe that whole QM and related discussions became way too complex, likely because of use of so many abstract terms which everybody interprets in many different ways.
For example - what is meant by 'non-reality' is very abstract and confusing. One might wonder if it means material reality, for which some aspect of matter/energy occupies finite physical space, or it also includes an abstract reality as some material creature like us might create an abstract picture in ones mind as part of its reality.
Does reality includes abstraction in form of laws of physics describing part of nature as it is, etc... one might be quite confused with possible spectrum of meanings, so no wonder people are confused.
Such state of confusion will likely be quite difficult to resolve...
In my humble opinion, I believe that science requires very solid 'bedrock' of axiomatic principles which are simple, understandable and agreeable on which basis all should be built on.
Other than that we should have theories which clearly state on which basis such proposals are made and which can clearly delineate between what is proven in physics, what is proposed etc.
Unfortunately, formal mechanisms of mathematical abstraction does not include tools which would allow for clear delineation between what is proven, what is postulated, and what is pure fairy tales. Until we have something like that, we will keep depending on fairly wishy-washy interpretations from each individual perspective, driven by all that makes each of us - not so perfect individuals, point in time, personal traits and levels of knowledge, including quality of chalk used on a whiteboard and how well professor slept the night before lecture...
Also, in this culture of 'winners' and perpetual need to be correct and the best, it is quite unusual to hear statement 'I don't know'. Recognizing the gaps of lack of understanding might be first step towards trying to think about alternatives that might be still open questions... Only correct and sincere questions that might be outstanding for resolution, will eventually takes us somewhere...but in a zoo of informal and non structured expressions it is not going to be easy...

 

[DrChinese]

1. I believe that whole QM and related discussions became way too complex, likely because of use of so many abstract terms which everybody interprets in many different ways.

2. For example - what is meant by 'non-reality' is very abstract and confusing. One might wonder if it means material reality, for which some aspect of matter/energy occupies finite physical space, or it also includes an abstract reality as some material creature like us might create an abstract picture in ones mind as part of its reality.
Does reality includes abstraction in form of laws of physics describing part of nature as it is, etc... one might be quite confused with possible spectrum of meanings, so no wonder people are confused.

1. The differences in interpretations of QM may be as you say ("abstract terms"), but application of QM generally does not. You can look at advanced textbooks on the subject, and see that the theory is well-developed, matches experiment nicely, and generally of high predictive value.

2. In the EPR/Bell sense, "reality" (and therefore "non-reality") has a much more specific meaning. That is: do quantum observables (such as position, momentum, spin) have well-defined values at all times? EPR held that since any of these could be predicted with 100% certainty without disturbing a particle, there must be an element of reality to their existence. Bell showed otherwise if certain "reasonable" assumptions were made.

None of this, in other words, really relates to the kinds of "reality" you refer to - which are more philosophical concepts than physical ones.

 

[DejanK]

1. The differences in interpretations of QM may be as you say ("abstract terms"), but application of QM generally does not. You can look at advanced textbooks on the subject, and see that the theory is well-developed, matches experiment nicely, and generally of high predictive value.

2. In the EPR/Bell sense, "reality" (and therefore "non-reality") has a much more specific meaning. That is: do quantum observables (such as position, momentum, spin) have well-defined values at all times? EPR held that since any of these could be predicted with 100% certainty without disturbing a particle, there must be an element of reality to their existence. Bell showed otherwise if certain "reasonable" assumptions were made.

None of this, in other words, really relates to the kinds of "reality" you refer to - which are more philosophical concepts than physical ones.

I do not believe that we are on the same page regarding point 1, as we might be writing about two mutually different things. Application of quantum mechanics is absolutely not in question as theory is well developed and it fully matches experiment nicely. That is absolutely so.
However, my point is, in order for us to be in position to advance from that point on, we will have to postulate and explore reality of nature further, in order to eventually reach better understanding of underlying processes which must be supported by experimental data. Negating possibility to be able to eventually do so is not in spirit of science nor in alignment with lessons learned and with historically accumulated experience of mankind (ie. not long ago many believed that it would be impossible to travel by car 100km/h as driver would loose air for breathing). Therefore, we must give ourselves a chance to imagine that it is possible and to explore what really might make sense.
Example: analog thermometer constructed with liquid mercury, together with instruction manual, confirms instruction manual for its use each time temperature measurement is performed (assuming that instructions are followed correctly). Each such measurement would represent yet another confirmation of experimentally validated fact which scientists previously studied in order to correlate experimental data of liquid mercury volume expansion or contraction with temperature change.
Knowing that thermometer works correctly, as per scientifically backed instruction manual, hopefully should not prevent someone to wonder why mercury expands or contracts to start with. Our science could have stopped at that point, but it did not, as people realized and learned much deeper structure related to that specific metal and learned why it actually behaves so. We went much further than that.

Therefore, to say that QM simply works and that we do not need to worry about it is simply not good enough for the ones that will eventually, like we always did, learn and experimentally prove yet another layer of the same reality that we keep re-discovering with deeper understanding.

In case that such perspective is considered philosophy, I believe that is perfectly fine, as science does not exist in isolation from people that think and wonder. Also, our ability to question and obtain new perspectives and knowledge, was proven to be the key factor for our evolutionary success, differentiating ourself from the species taking their environment for granted, and because of that, I do not see any reason why we should stop now.

 

[DrChinese]

...In case that such perspective is considered philosophy, I believe that is perfectly fine, as science does not exist in isolation from people that think and wonder. Also, our ability to question and obtain new perspectives and knowledge, was proven to be the key factor for our evolutionary success, differentiating ourself from the species taking their environment for granted, and because of that, I do not see any reason why we should stop now.

Well, this is not the philosophy forum for one thing. And I don't think that pondering (or not) whether Bohmian Mechanics is (or is not) the best interpretation will boost evolution of the species. And debating the best way to advance science is a separate topic, and certainly one with room for many different opinions.

At any rate, it would make more sense for this thread if we discussed "realism" within the realm of Bohmian theory. That is why I included point 2 in my post.

 

[DejanK]

Well, this is not the philosophy forum for one thing. And I don't think that pondering (or not) whether Bohmian Mechanics is (or is not) the best interpretation will boost evolution of the species. And debating the best way to advance science is a separate topic, and certainly one with room for many different opinions.

At any rate, it would make more sense for this thread if we discussed "realism" within the realm of Bohmian theory. That is why I included point 2 in my post.

Just a reminder that Dr. Bohm himself thought that segregation of science and topics from one larger 'wholistic' attempt to understand nature, represents problem on its own, which I agree with, so I feel that my opinion is in that context relevant for this room.

Regarding point 2 regarding realism within realm of Bohmian theory, I have question regarding interpretation of 'realism' - maybe somebody knows- is realism meant as:
a) very specific local values in case that somebody can measure them
b) very specific local values without anybody ever measuring

By b) is meant that for instance laws of physics were in existence before we evolved to the point to be in position to even think of measurement.

 

[eloheim]

In quick before the padlock comes down on this one...

But anyway, I would find it more interesting to restrict the discussion to whether Bohmian mechanics is superdeterministic or not, since this can be analyzed mathematically, while adopting CH is a matter of taste.

This has probably been covered and resolved already, but isn't Bohm's theory saved from a need for superdeterminism by the existence of non-local influences? It sounds like you're wanting to think about local quantum theories, rubi, (and whether they would need to be superdeterministic), but just as far as the issue of Bohmian Mechs and superdeterminism, doesn't the non-local guiding pilot wave adequately answer that charge? And honestly I am asking non-rhetorically, because I'm not at all familiar with the intricacies of Bohmian foundations study. (Sorry!)

I just wanted to say to the participants above (especially Arnold Neumaier, demystifier, rubi) that I very much enjoyed reading the back and forth. Although I doubt many minds were changed, the scope and intensity of the debate was very enlightening to me.

Also, while I'm here, I whole-heartedly second DrChinese's sentiments here. Even if it's not pretty, this thread testifies to the broad range of opinions educated people can hold on these topics, despite the seemingly endless discussion. I'm not so impressed that people ARE arguing these issues after so long, but by the quality of the workmanship, and the effort expended by all sides throughout! Cheers!