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arXiv:quant-ph/0604079quant-ph

The Free Will Theorem

John Conway, Simon Kochen

Abstract

On the basis of three physical axioms, we prove that if the choice of a particular type of spin 1 experiment is not a function of the information accessible to the experimenters, then its outcome is equally not a function of the information accessible to the particles. We show that this result is robust, and deduce that neither hidden variable theories nor mechanisms of the GRW type for wave function collapse can be made relativistic. We also establish the consistency of our axioms and discuss the philosophical implications.

arXiv comments
31 pages, 6figures
Journal reference
DOI
doi:10.1007/s10701-006-9068-6
Subjects
quant-phQuantum Physics

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Linked by 5 identifiable commenters in 6 comments across 5 threads, from Jun 2017 to Oct 2022. Found in 1 HN submission from Jun 2023 to Jun 2023. Open submission discussions.

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Discussed in comments5 threads

  1. Nobel Prize in Physics Awarded to Alain Aspect, John Clauser and Anton Zeilinger 1 comment

    • I like the essence of Quantum Strangeness here: "To be more precise, what we shall show is that the particles’ response∗ to a certain type of experiment is not determined by the entire previous history of that part of the universe accessible to them." John Conway, Simon Kochen…

      hackandthinkView on HNParent context

  2. John Conway – The Free Will Lectures (2009) [video] 2 comments

    • Note that Conway's Free Will Theorem [see 1, Sections 10.1, 11.2] holds whether or not the laws of nature are inherently stochastic. [1] https://arxiv.org/pdf/quant-ph/0604079v1.pdf

      gbjwView on HNParent context

    • The Free Will Theorem paper is available here: https://arxiv.org/pdf/quant-ph/0604079v1.pdf. Most of it seems quite readable.

      gbjwView on HNParent context

  3. John Conway has died 1 comment

    • He visited Australia several times in the 90's and I remember seeing him talk about wallpaper groups back then. One time he was explaining orbifolds [1] by folding up a piece of paper, and he somehow made a cone shape, and it somehow ended up on his head, and then he proceeded…

      mathgeniusView on HNParent context

  4. Do electrons think? (1949) 1 comment

    • I wonder what Schrödinger would have thought of the Free Will Theorem: https://arxiv.org/pdf/quant-ph/0604079.pdf

      panicView on HNParent context

  5. Quantum Approaches to Consciousness (2015) 1 comment

    • John Conway and Simon Kochen would like to have a word with you: https://arxiv.org/abs/quant-ph/0604079

      pygy_View on HNParent context

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