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Time-Symmetrized Counterfactuals in Quantum Theory

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Abstract

Counterfactuals in quantum theory are briefly reviewed and it is argued that they are very different from counterfactuals considered in the general philosophical literature. The issue of time symmetry of quantum counterfactuals is considered and a novel time-symmetric definition of quantum counterfactuals is proposed. This definition is applied for analyzing several controversies related to quantum counterfactuals.

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Vaidman, L. Time-Symmetrized Counterfactuals in Quantum Theory. Foundations of Physics 29, 755–765 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1018826607583

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