Summary
It is argued that the EPR paradox cannot be resolved in the context of quantum mechanics. Bell's theorem is shown to be equivalent to a Belinfante theory of zero type. It is concluded therefore that it cannot have as wide a range of applicability in excluding Hidden Variable Theories as commonly alleged. It follows that standard quantum mechanics should not be regarded as a complete theory in Einstein's sense. Indeed, it is argued that a purely probabilistic theory cannot be the basis of a comprehensive understanding of physics. An attempt is made to formulate a deterministic, local Hidden Variable Theory to account for the Bohm-Einstein thought experiment reproducing quantum mechanical predictions.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
von Weizsäcker, C. F.: 1979, in P. Bieri, R.-P. Horstman and L. Kruger (eds.),Transcendental Arguments and Science, D. Reidel, Dordrecht.
Einstein, A., N. Rosen, and B. Podolsky, 1935,Phys. Rev. 47, 777.
Bohr, N.: 1935,Phys. Rev. 48, 696.
Born, M. (ed.): 1971,The Born-Einstein Letters, MacMillan, London, p. 82.
Bell, J. S.: 1964,Physics 1, 195.
Belinfante, F. J., The Hidden Variable Theories.
Jammer, M.: 1982, in G. Holion and Y. Elkana (eds.),Albert Einstein — Historical and Cultural Perspectives, University Press, Princeton.
Price, H.: 1984,Synthese,61, 299.
Klotz, A. H.: 1982,Macrophysics and Geometry, University Press, Cambridge.
Garrett, A. J. M.: 1986, PACS Class. No. 0365 Preprint.
Koc, Y.: 1981,Physics Lett. 81A, 436.
Treder, H.: 1984, in Louis de Broglie, D. Reidel, Dordrecht.
Page, D. N.: 1982,Physics Lett. 91A, 57.
Bohm, D.: 1951,Quantum Theory, Prentice-Hall, New York.
Nordin, I.: 1979,Synthese 42, 71.
McCusker, B.: 1983, Sydney University Physics Seminar.
Liddy, D. E.: 1983,J. Phys. A. 16, 2703.
Liddy, D. E.: 1986, Thesis, Sydney University.
Komar, A.: 1982, Private communication, Shanghai.
Bernstein, D. L.: 1950,Existence Theorems in Partial Differential Equations, University Press, Princeton.
Pitowsky, I.: 1982,Phys. Rev. Lett. 48, 1299.
Clauser, J. F. and A. Shimony: 1978,Rep. Prog. Phys. 41, 1881.
Suppes, P. and M. Zanotti: 1976, in P. Suppes (ed.),Logic and Probability in Quantum Mechanics, D. Reidel, New York.
Cohen, M. R. and E. Nagel: 1959,Logic and Scientific Method, Routledge-Kegan Paul, London.
Choquet-Bruhat, Y., C. de Witt-Morette, and M. Dillard-Bleick: 1982,Analysis, Manifolds and Physics, North-Holland, Amsterdam.
Knuth, D. E., 1981,The Art of Computer Programming, Vol. 2., Addison-Wesley, Reading, Mass.
Williams, D. C.: 1967,The Ground of Induction, University Press, Harvard.
von Mieses, R.: 1957,Probability, Statistics and Truth, Allen & Unwin, New York.
Hofstadter, D. R.: 1979,Gödel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Band, Penguin.
Muckenheim, W.: 1982,Nuovo Cim. Lett. 35, 300.
Joos, G.: 1949,Theoretical Physics, Blackie, London.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Klotz, A.H. On the nature of quantum mechanics. Synthese 77, 139–193 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00869433
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00869433