Is Einstein Causality Proven in Preferred Frame SR?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the interpretations of quantum mechanics (QM), specifically the Many-Worlds Interpretation (MWI) and collapse theories. Participants explore the implications of these interpretations, their mathematical foundations, and the nature of reality as described by QM. The conversation includes technical reasoning about the distinctions between interpretations and the role of mathematical frameworks.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants argue that if both MWI and collapse theories are possible interpretations of QM, then neither can be considered a fact, as confirmed experimental evidence is lacking.
  • There is a suggestion that the minimal interpretation of QM does not make inferences about the reality of interpretations, leading to the idea that MWI may not represent "many" worlds but rather mathematical semantics.
  • One participant posits that interpretations of QM must contain distinguishing variables, while others counter that interpretations share the same mathematical framework and thus do not differ mathematically.
  • Some participants assert that the measurement problem exists across all interpretations of QM, while others claim that certain interpretations, like de Broglie-Bohm (dBB) theory, do not have a measurement problem due to their inclusion of configuration space trajectories.
  • There is a discussion about whether interpretations can utilize additional mathematics, with differing views on what constitutes "additional math" versus standard mathematical choices in quantum mechanics and general relativity.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express multiple competing views regarding the nature of interpretations in QM, the role of mathematics, and the existence of the measurement problem. There is no consensus on these issues, as differing perspectives are presented without resolution.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the limitations of interpretations based on their mathematical frameworks and the assumptions underlying them. The discussion reflects a complex interplay of theoretical perspectives without definitive conclusions.

  • #31
Elias1960 said:
Bell has later emphasized that formula (2) of his paper was not postulated but derived, and here is the derivation from the original paper (emph. mine)

That's not a "derivation". A "derivation" would be a mathematical derivation of the mathematical statement that Bell uses in his paper from some other mathematical premise.

Elias1960 said:
The emphasized part.

That's not what I asked for. What I asked for was which mathematical statement in Bell's paper is violated. It appears that your answer to that would be formula (2) of his paper.

Elias1960 said:
I can understand your position, but it would require renaming of established terms

Yes, I know that (I assume that by "renaming" you actually mean "redefining"). But your position also requires redefining a term: "interpretation". This whole subthread started because you objected to my statement that all interpretations of QM use the same math. As far as I know that statement is just as "standard" as the usage of "theory" that you are saying is standard.
 
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  • #32
PeterDonis said:
That's not a "derivation". A "derivation" would be a mathematical derivation of the mathematical statement that Bell uses in his paper from some other mathematical premise.
That's not what I asked for. What I asked for was which mathematical statement in Bell's paper is violated. It appears that your answer to that would be formula (2) of his paper.
If you want to restrict Bell's theorem to the part of the article beginning with formula (2), your choice. If I refer to Bell's theorem, I refer to the full paper.

The derivation is of the necessary level for a physics paper and is certainly sufficient to classify (2) as derived, and to identify the EPR criterion of reality and Einstein causality as the assumptions necessary to derive it. One should not forget that there is the EPR paper as the background which is presupposed to be known, and the derivation is rather trivial given the EPR criterion and Einstein causality. Both are formulated in a verbal way, thus, to insist on some formula written down for it makes no sense.
PeterDonis said:
This whole subthread started because you objected to my statement that all interpretations of QM use the same math. As far as I know that statement is just as "standard" as the usage of "theory" that you are saying is standard.
The standard use is AFAIK that all interpretations make the same empirical predictions.

But this does not mean the same math, dBB theory in quantum equilibrium makes the same empirical predictions, but it also uses math which is not part of standard QM math, namely the guiding equation. Of course, I do not object against naming it a different theory too, given that it is a well-defined theory even outside the quantum equilibrium, and makes completely different predictions outside this equilibrium. But naming it an interpretation is also sufficiently standard.
 
  • #33
Elias1960 said:
If you want to restrict Bell's theorem to the part of the article beginning with formula (2)

I have said no such thing. I simply asked which mathematical statement the theory you were referring to violated. You never answered that question, so I had to make my best guess.
 
  • #34
PeterDonis said:
I have said no such thing. I simply asked which mathematical statement the theory you were referring to violated. You never answered that question, so I had to make my best guess.
If Einstein causality is sufficiently mathematical for you, then it is Einstein causality. In a theory with preferred frame, classical causality, as defined by absolute time, is what defines causality.
 
  • #35
Elias1960 said:
If Einstein causality is sufficiently mathematical for you, then it is Einstein causality. In a theory with preferred frame, classical causality, as defined by absolute time, is what defines causality.

Oh, for goodness' sake. Bell's paper has mathematical statements in it. Each one has a number. Which number points to a false statement? I fail to see why you can't just answer that question without going off into the vagaries of ordinary language terms like "Einstein causality".
 
  • #36
PeterDonis said:
Oh, for goodness' sake. Bell's paper has mathematical statements in it. Each one has a number. Which number points to a false statement? I fail to see why you can't just answer that question without going off into the vagaries of ordinary language terms like "Einstein causality".
(2) points already to a statement that cannot be proven in SR with a preferred frame. I refer to Einstein causality because I thought a precise answer has to identify the principle which holds in spacetime SR but not in preferred frame SR and to explain why (2) cannot be derived in preferred frame SR. Such an explanation has to compare how (2) is derived for spacetime SR, and to show why it fails in preferred frame SR. This derivation is given in informal, verbal form, so my explanation has an informal, verbal form.

But once you insist, no problem, (2) cannot be proven in preferred frame SR.
 

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