Bell inequalities, counterfactual definiteness and falsifiability
Justo Pastor Lambare
Abstract
We formally prove the existence of an enduring incongruence pervading a widespread interpretation of the Bell inequality and explain how to rationally avoid it with a natural assumption justified by explicit reference to a mathematical property of Bell’s probabilistic model. Although the amendment does not alter the relevance of the theorem regarding local realism, it brings back Bell theorem from the realm of philosophical discussions about counterfactual conditionals to the concrete experimental arena.
Topics & Concepts
Counterfactual thinkingRealmProperty (philosophy)Mathematical economicsInterpretation (philosophy)EpistemologyProbabilistic logicDefinitenessRelevance (law)Bell test experimentsPhilosophyRealismCoin flippingBell's theoremMathematicsCalculus (dental)LinguisticsLawPhysicsStatisticsPolitical scienceQuantum mechanicsQuantumMedicineDentistryQuantum entanglementQuantum Mechanics and ApplicationsPhilosophy and History of SciencePhilosophy and Theoretical Science