Abstract
We provide a rigorous definition of local realism. We show that the universal wave function cannot be a complete description of a local reality. Finally, we construct a local-realistic model for quantum theory.
Highlights
We provide a rigorous definition of local realism
Quantum theory has long been held to be incompatible with local realism
The goal of this article was to give a precise definition of local realism and to show that quantum theory is local-realistic by proving that it has a local-realistic model
Summary
Quantum theory has long been held to be incompatible with local realism. Local realism can be described informally, albeit incompletely, by the following principles: Principles of local realism (i) There is a real world. (ii) It can be decomposed into various parts, called systems. (iii) A system may be decomposed into subsystems. (iv) Every system is a subsystem of the global system consisting of the entire world. (v) At any given time, each system is in some state. (vi) The state of a system determines, and is determined by, the state of its subsystems. (vii) What is observable in a system is determined by the state of the system. (viii) The state of the world evolves according to some law. (ix) The evolution of the state of a system can only be influenced by the state of systems in its local neighbourhood. We shall show precisely that in quantum theory, all states of all composite systems, including entangled states, can be fully described by the states of their subsystems Despite these objections that are still made today, the consistency of quantum theory with local realism has already been proven by David Deutsch and Patrick Hayden [5]. A preliminary statement and proof that the universal wave function is but a shadow of the real world (under the metaphysical assumption of locality) was first presented by the author’s supervisor at the 2015 edition of the annual New Directions in the Foundations of Physics conference organized by Jeffrey Bub on slides 38 to 40 of [11] with the author’s permission This proof was entirely the discovery of the author even though he enjoyed listening to his supervisor serving as his voice
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