Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Bell's theorem in an indeterministic universe

  • Published:
Synthese Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A variation of Bell's theorem that deals with the indeterministic case is formulated and proved within the logical framework of Lewis's theory of counterfactuals. The no-faster-than-light-influence condition is expressed in terms of Lewis ‘would’ counterfactual conditionals. Objections to this procedure raised by certain philosophers of science are examined and answered. The theorem shows that the incompatibility between the predictions of quantum theory and the idea of no faster-than-light influence cannot be ascribed to any auxiliary or tacit assumption of either determinism or the related idea that outcomes of unperformed measurements are determinate within nature. In addition, the theorem provides an example of an application of Lewis's theory of counterfactuals in a rigorous scientific context.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bell, J. S.: 1964, ‘On the Einstein Podolsk Rosen Paradox’,Physics 1, 195–200.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clifton, R. K., J. N. Butterfield, and M. G. Redhead: 1990, ‘Nonlocal Influences and Possible Worlds’,British Journal for the Philosophy of Science 41, 5–58.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fine, A.: 1989, ‘Do Correlations Need to be Explained’, in J. T. Cushing and E. McMullin (eds.),Philosophical Consequences of Quantum Theory, Notre Dame University Press, Notre Dame, pp. 187–8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, D.: 1973,Counterfactuals, Blackwell Press, Oxford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, D.: 1986,Philosophical Papers Vol. II, Oxford University Press, Oxford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Redhead, M. G.: 1987,Incompleteness, Nonlocality, and Realism: A Prolegomenon to the Philosophy of Quantum Mechanics, Clarendon Press, Oxford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stapp, H. P.: 1990, ‘Quantum Measurement and the Mind-Brain Connection’, in P. Lahti and P. Mittelstaedt (eds.),Symposium on the Foundations of Modern Physics 1990, World Scientific, Singapore, pp. 403–24.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stapp, H. P.: 1993, ‘Strong Versions of Bell's Theorem’,Physical Review A.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, University of Natal, Durban, South Africa

    Donald Bedford & Henry P. Stapp

  2. Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, University of California, 94720, Berkeley, California

    Donald Bedford & Henry P. Stapp

Authors
  1. Donald Bedford
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Henry P. Stapp
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bedford, D., Stapp, H.P. Bell's theorem in an indeterministic universe. Synthese 102, 139–164 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01063902

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01063902

Keywords

Search

Navigation