dorsal/arxiv
View SchemaTime-Symmetrized Counterfactuals in Quantum Theory
| Authors | L. Vaidman |
|---|---|
| Categories | |
| ArXiv ID | quant-ph/9807075 |
| URL | https://arxiv.org/abs/quant-ph/9807075 |
| Journal | Found.Phys. 29 (1999) 755-765 |
Abstract
Recently, several authors have criticized the time-symmetrized quantum theory originated by the work of Aharonov et al. (1964). The core of this criticism was a proof, appearing in various forms, which showed that the counterfactual interpretation of time-symmetrized quantum theory cannot be reconciled with standard quantum theory. I argue here that the apparent contradiction is due to a logical error. I analyze the concept of counterfactuals in quantum theory and introduce time-symmetrized counterfactuals. These counterfactuals do not lead to any contradiction with the predictions of quantum theory. I discuss applications of time-symmetrized counterfactuals to several surprising examples and show the usefulness of the time-symmetrized quantum formalism.
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"abstract": "Recently, several authors have criticized the time-symmetrized quantum theory\noriginated by the work of Aharonov et al. (1964). The core of this criticism\nwas a proof, appearing in various forms, which showed that the counterfactual\ninterpretation of time-symmetrized quantum theory cannot be reconciled with\nstandard quantum theory. I argue here that the apparent contradiction is due to\na logical error. I analyze the concept of counterfactuals in quantum theory and\nintroduce time-symmetrized counterfactuals. These counterfactuals do not lead\nto any contradiction with the predictions of quantum theory. I discuss\napplications of time-symmetrized counterfactuals to several surprising examples\nand show the usefulness of the time-symmetrized quantum formalism.",
"arxiv_id": "quant-ph/9807075",
"authors": [
"L. Vaidman"
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"journal_ref": "Found.Phys. 29 (1999) 755-765",
"title": "Time-Symmetrized Counterfactuals in Quantum Theory",
"url": "https://arxiv.org/abs/quant-ph/9807075"
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