factorizability

Recalling section 3, factorizability can be analyzed into a conjunction of two conditions:

Action at a Distance in Quantum Mechanics Berkovitz, Joseph 2007

In all the above interpretations of quantum mechanics, the failure of factorizability (i.e., the failure of the joint probability of the measurement outcomes in the EPR/B experiment to factorize into their single probabilities) involves non-separability, holism and/or some type of action at a distance.

Action at a Distance in Quantum Mechanics Berkovitz, Joseph 2007

As we shall see below, non-factorizability also implies superluminal causal dependence according to certain accounts of causation.

Action at a Distance in Quantum Mechanics Berkovitz, Joseph 2007

Furthermore, while a violation of λ-independence provides a way out of Bell's theorem, it does not necessarily imply locality; for the violation of λ-independence is compatible with the failure of factorizability.

Action at a Distance in Quantum Mechanics Berkovitz, Joseph 2007

In sections 5-7, we considered the nature of quantum non-locality as depicted by theories that violate factorizability, i.e., the assumption that the probability of joint measurement outcomes factorizes into the single probabilities of these outcomes.

Action at a Distance in Quantum Mechanics Berkovitz, Joseph 2007

Some, notably Cartwright (1989) and Chang and Cartwright (1993), challenge the assumption that common causes always screen off the correlation between their effects, and accordingly they question the idea that non-factorizability implies non-locality.

Action at a Distance in Quantum Mechanics Berkovitz, Joseph 2007

The analysis of factorizability: implications for quantum non-locality

Action at a Distance in Quantum Mechanics Berkovitz, Joseph 2007

In arguments for the failure of factorizability, it is presupposed that the distant measurement outcomes in the EPR/B experiment are real physical events.

Action at a Distance in Quantum Mechanics Berkovitz, Joseph 2007

The motivation for this focus was that, granted plausible assumptions, factorizability must fail (see section 2), and its failure implies some type of non-locality (see sections 2-8).

Action at a Distance in Quantum Mechanics Berkovitz, Joseph 2007

Another way to get around Bell's argument for non-locality in the EPR/B experiment is to construct a model of this experiment that satisfies factorizability but violates λ-independence (i.e., the assumption that the distribution of all the possible pairs 'states in the EPR/B experiment is independent of the measured quantities).

Action at a Distance in Quantum Mechanics Berkovitz, Joseph 2007