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This book analyses the subtleties of non-locality and the indefiniteness of properties on quantum systems in their ultimate probabilistic and spacetime context. It pays careful attention to the subtleties of non-locality and its relationship to causality and probability in quantum theory. In this way it focuses uniquely on the distinguishing foundational characteristics of quantum physics allowing readers to understand precisely the conceptual origins of the unusual nature of quantum phenomena. In particular, the relationship of quantum theory to causality and probability is made clear. By focusing on the corresponding distinguishing foundational characteristics of quantum physics, the conceptual origins of the unusual nature of quantum phenomena are exposed. In this way it focuses uniquely on the distinguishing foundational characteristics of quantum physics allowing readers to understand precisely the conceptual origins of the unusual nature of quantum phenomena.
List of contents
Non-locality, Communication, and Entanglement.- Einstein locality.- Bell locality.- Communication.- Non-locality.- Entanglement.- Causation, Imprecision, and Indefiniteness.- Probability.- Causation.- Indeterminacy.- Imprecision.- Indefiniteness.- Individuals, Parts, and Wholes.- Potentiality.- Discernibility.- Individuation.- Persistence.- Parts and wholes.
Summary
This monograph identifies the essential characteristics of the objects described by current quantum theory and considers their relationship to space-time. In the process, it explicates the senses in which quantum objects may be consistently considered to have parts of which they may be composed or into which they may be decomposed. The book also demonstrates the degree to which reduction is possible in quantum mechanics, showing it to be related to the objective indefiniteness of quantum properties and the strong non-local correlations that can occur between the physical quantities of quantum subsystems. Careful attention is paid to the relationships among such property correlations, physical causation, probability, and symmetry in quantum theory. In this way, the text identifies and clarifies the conceptual grounds underlying the unique nature of many quantum phenomena.
