Critical Analysis of the Tests of Local Realism Versus Quantum Mechanics

Abstract

P. A. M. Dirac [1] emphasized the fact that several dramatic advances in physics have come from the solution of a previous conflict between two well established theories (which is just an example of the usefulness of the dialectic method). For instance, the contradiction between Newton’s mechanics and Maxwell’s electromagnetism was solved by Einstein with the introduction of special relativity. Similarly, the conflict between special relativity and Newtonian gravitation gave rise to general relativity. A conflict similar to the latter is the one existing at present between local realism and quantum mechanics. In fact, in both cases the conflict arises because it is predicted a violation of the principle of local action: by gravitational forces at a distance in the first case, and by the influence of a measurement on another one performed at a distant place, in quantum mechanics. As the principle of local action (signals cannot travel faster than light) is at the roots of relativity theory, I guess that a dramatic advance in physics will soon take place, when this conflict is solved.