Hidden Variables in Quantum Mechanics from the Perspective of Boltzmannian Statistical Mechanics
This paper examines no-hidden-variables theorems in quantum mechanics from the point of view of statistical mechanics. It presents a general analysis of the measurement process in the Boltzmannian framework that leads to a characterization of (in)compatible measurements and reproduces several featur...
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MDPI AG
2024-09-01
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| Series: | Quantum Reports |
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| author | Dustin Lazarovici |
| author_facet | Dustin Lazarovici |
| author_sort | Dustin Lazarovici |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This paper examines no-hidden-variables theorems in quantum mechanics from the point of view of statistical mechanics. It presents a general analysis of the measurement process in the Boltzmannian framework that leads to a characterization of (in)compatible measurements and reproduces several features of quantum probabilities often described as “non-classical”. The analysis is applied to versions of the Kochen–Specker and Bell theorems to shed more light on their implications. It is shown how, once the measurement device and the active role of the measurement process are taken into account, contextuality appears as a natural feature of random variables. This corroborates Bell’s criticism that no-go results of the Kochen–Specker type are based on gratuitous assumptions. In contrast, Bell-type theorems are much more profound, but should be understood as nonlocality theorems rather than no-hidden-variables theorems. Finally, the paper addresses misunderstandings and misleading terminology that have confused the debate about hidden variables in quantum mechanics. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-89a3b231147d4bc09ad61d2aa55a9cff |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2624-960X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-09-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Quantum Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-89a3b231147d4bc09ad61d2aa55a9cff2025-08-20T01:55:49ZengMDPI AGQuantum Reports2624-960X2024-09-016346548110.3390/quantum6030031Hidden Variables in Quantum Mechanics from the Perspective of Boltzmannian Statistical MechanicsDustin Lazarovici0Humanities and Arts Department, Technion —Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, IsraelThis paper examines no-hidden-variables theorems in quantum mechanics from the point of view of statistical mechanics. It presents a general analysis of the measurement process in the Boltzmannian framework that leads to a characterization of (in)compatible measurements and reproduces several features of quantum probabilities often described as “non-classical”. The analysis is applied to versions of the Kochen–Specker and Bell theorems to shed more light on their implications. It is shown how, once the measurement device and the active role of the measurement process are taken into account, contextuality appears as a natural feature of random variables. This corroborates Bell’s criticism that no-go results of the Kochen–Specker type are based on gratuitous assumptions. In contrast, Bell-type theorems are much more profound, but should be understood as nonlocality theorems rather than no-hidden-variables theorems. Finally, the paper addresses misunderstandings and misleading terminology that have confused the debate about hidden variables in quantum mechanics.https://www.mdpi.com/2624-960X/6/3/31quantum foundationshidden variablesstatistical mechanicsKochen–Specker theoremBell’s theoremcontextuality |
| spellingShingle | Dustin Lazarovici Hidden Variables in Quantum Mechanics from the Perspective of Boltzmannian Statistical Mechanics Quantum Reports quantum foundations hidden variables statistical mechanics Kochen–Specker theorem Bell’s theorem contextuality |
| title | Hidden Variables in Quantum Mechanics from the Perspective of Boltzmannian Statistical Mechanics |
| title_full | Hidden Variables in Quantum Mechanics from the Perspective of Boltzmannian Statistical Mechanics |
| title_fullStr | Hidden Variables in Quantum Mechanics from the Perspective of Boltzmannian Statistical Mechanics |
| title_full_unstemmed | Hidden Variables in Quantum Mechanics from the Perspective of Boltzmannian Statistical Mechanics |
| title_short | Hidden Variables in Quantum Mechanics from the Perspective of Boltzmannian Statistical Mechanics |
| title_sort | hidden variables in quantum mechanics from the perspective of boltzmannian statistical mechanics |
| topic | quantum foundations hidden variables statistical mechanics Kochen–Specker theorem Bell’s theorem contextuality |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2624-960X/6/3/31 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT dustinlazarovici hiddenvariablesinquantummechanicsfromtheperspectiveofboltzmannianstatisticalmechanics |