Guido Bacciagaluppi (Utrecht University): Against ‘local causality’

Abstract: In his last paper on foundations, J. S. Bell suggested to characterise the causal constraints of relativity in terms of a condition he called ‘local causality’, to which he tentatively gave a precise mathematical form. In this form, local causality implies his famous factorisation condition and thus the Bell inequalities. This leads to the conclusion that both quantum mechanics and the experimentally verified violations of the Bell inequalities violate the causal constraints of relativity, a claim that has been defended also in parts of the philosophy literature. I argue it is mistaken, trace it to an ambiguity in the formulation of local causality, and suggest an alternative formalisation that removes the alleged incompatibility between local causality and Bell nonlocality.

Dr. G. (Guido) Bacciagaluppi is a philosopher of physics mainly working on quantum mechanics, with further interests in the philosophy of probability and the wider philosophy of science.

Schedule

15:30-16:00 tea/coffee and pastries (LAK G.01)

16:00-17:30 seminar and Q&A (LAK 2.02)

17:30 onwards pub visit and dinner (depending on speaker’s availability)

This event will take place in person on LSE’s campus. However, those unable to attend in person will have the option of taking part online.

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