Hidden Variables and the Nature of Quantum Statistics

T. F. Kamalov

It is shown that the nature of quantum statistics can be clarified by assuming the existence of a background of random gravitational fields and waves, distributed isotropically in the space. This background is responsible for correlating phases of oscillations of identical microobjects. If such a background of random gravitational fields and waves is considered as hidden variables then taking it into account leads to the Bell-type inequalities that are fairly consistent with the experimental data.

D. ter Haar

Eugene Paul Wigner

William Icefield

When statistical models are used in social sciences, there is no presumption that actual reality is stochastic. Even if actual reality is deterministic, hidden and unobservable variables require a use of effective (in ordinary language, approximate) models, with number of variables potentially unrestricted. From the quantum reconstruction point of view, quantum mechanics can be interpreted as a statistical information-processing framework - therefore, the aforementioned view in social sciences can naturally be transported to quantum physics - this especially so given prevalent uses of effective theories. This naturally gives us the common framework behind hidden variables interpretations unconstrained by particular laws of deterministic motion. The measurement problem is cleanly identified as arising from missing hidden variables. However, hidden variables interpretations do not imply that a final UV-complete theory of physics has to be usable - the theory may be uncomputable, with inability to generate predictions. In such a case, an infinite sequence of effective quantum theories would have to be used. Therefore, even if hidden variables interpretations are correct, supremacy of the orthodox quantum mechanics framework may be upheld, which is supported by a combination of quantum reconstruction and computational complexity arguments. This allows us to bypass considerable difficulties of hidden variables interpretations in satisfying Lorentz invariance. Connections to entropic gravity are then explored.

Dustin Lazarovici

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.

Eugene Paul Wigner