Quantum Probability ― Quantum Logic

by Itamar Pitowsky

This book compares various approaches to the interpretation of quantum mechanics, in particular those which are related to the key words "the Copenhagen interpretation," "the antirealist view," "quantum logic" and "hidden variable theory." Using the concept of "correlation" carefully analyzed in the context of classical probability and in quantum theory, the author provides a framework to compare these approaches. He also develops an extension of probability theory to construct a local hidden variable theory. The book should be of interest for physicists and philosophers of science interested in the foundations of quantum theory.

Genres: Physics, Mathematics

210 pages, Hardcover

First published February 21, 1989

Reviews

[Chris]

This was a fun book. The basic idea is to think about the convex hull over { (0,0,0), (0,0,1), (0,1,0), (1,0,0) } as representing the probability distribution of things that could happen (here, three alternatives (a,b,c)). That allows for the concept of "a mixture of things" happening.

But how does "half-negative" (imaginary) probability work into that? Pitowsky explains it by intersections, so take your usual Venn Diagram math except things don't add up in the usual way.