Abstract
It has long been recognized that a local hidden variable theory of quantum mechanics can in principle be constructed, provided one is willing to countenance pre-measurement correlations between the properties of measured systems and measuring devices. However, this 'conspiratorial' approach is typically dismissed out of hand. In this article I examine the justification for dismissing conspiracy theories of quantum mechanics. I consider the existing arguments against such theories, and find them to be less than conclusive. I suggest a more powerful argument against the leading strategy for constructing a conspiracy theory. Finally, I outline two alternative strategies for constructing conspiracy theories, both of which are immune to these arguments, but require one to either modify or reject the common cause principle.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 359-381 |
Number of pages | 23 |
Journal | British Journal for the Philosophy of Science |
Volume | 57 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jun 2006 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- History
- Philosophy
- History and Philosophy of Science