Probabilities, Causes and Propensities in Physics

Preface

Contents

Contributors

1 Four Theses on Probabilities, Causes, Propensities

1.1 Overview of the Book

1.2 Probabilities

1.2.1 Transition Probabilities and Time-Symmetry

1.2.2 The Principle of Indifference

1.2.3 Typicality in Statistical Mechanics

1.3 Causes

1.3.1 From Metaphysics to Physics

1.3.2 Causal Loops in Retro-Causal Models

1.3.3 Causal Completeness of Probability Theories

1.3.4 Robustness and the Markov Condition

1.4 Propensities

1.4.1 Dispositions in the Ontology of Quantum Mechanics

1.4.2 The Propensiton Theory Revisited

1.4.3 Derivative Dispositions

1.5 Transition Versus Conditional Probabilities

1.5.1 Transition Probability: Take One

1.5.2 Transition Probability: Take Two

1.5.3 Transitions are Not Conditionalisation Processes

1.5.4 Biased and Unbiased Samples

1.6 Propensity as Probability

1.6.1 Long Run Versus Single Case Propensities

1.6.2 Humphrey's Paradox

1.6.3 Conditional Propensities

1.7 Propensity as Dispositional Property

1.7.1 Propensities Display Probabilities

1.7.2 Absolute Propensities

1.7.3 Humphreys' Paradox Revisited

1.8 Causal and Dispositional Presuppositions in Physics

References

Part I Probabilities

2 Probability and Time Symmetry in Classical Markov Processes

2.1 Introduction

2.2 A Few Essentials About Markov Processes

2.3 Definitions of Time Symmetry

2.4 Probability and Time Symmetry

2.4.1 Arguments for Asymmetry

2.4.2 Time-Directed Behaviour and Time-Symmetric Probabilities

2.4.3 Interpretation of Probability

Appendix

References

3 Probability Assignments and the Principle of Indifference. An Examination of Two Eliminative Strategies

3.1 Introduction

3.2 The Poincar -- Reichenbach Strategy

3.3 The Gillies Strategy

3.4 Conclusion

Appendix 1

Appendix 2

References

4 Why Typicality Does Not Explain the Approach to Equilibrium

4.1 Introduction

4.2 Classical Boltzmannian SM

4.3 Typicality and the Approach to Equilibrium

4.4 Further Qualms

4.5 Conclusion

References

Part II Causes

5 From Metaphysics to Physics and Back: the Example of Causation

5.1 Introduction

5.2 Prolegomena on Causation and Quantum Nonlocality

5.3 Nonlocality, Supeluminal Influence and Causation

5.4 Causation in Quantum Mechanics with State Reduction and in Its GRW Formulation

5.5 Causation and Spacetime Foliation in Bohmian Mechanics

5.6 Conclusions

References

6 On Explanation in Retro-causal Interpretations of Quantum Mechanics

6.1 Retro-Causal Interpretations of Quantum Mechanics: Background and Motivations

6.2 Causal Loops in Retro-Causal Interpretations of Quantum Mechanics

6.3 Causal Loops: The Basic Concepts

6.4 Arguments for the Impossibility of Backward Causation and Causal Loops

6.5 On Causal Loops in Bell-like Retro-Causal Models

6.5.1 Deterministic Models

6.5.2 Indeterministic Models

6.6 On Probabilities and Predictions in Indeterministic Causal Loops

6.7 Retro-Causal Theories and the Measurement Problem

6.7.1 The Transactional Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics

6.7.2 Causally Symmetric Bohmian Model

6.8 Are Retro-Causal Interpretations of Quantum Mechanics Explanatory Vacuous?

6.9 Conclusions

References

7 Causal Completeness in General Probability Theories

7.1 Informal Formulation of the Problem of Causal Completeness

7.2 General Probability Spaces Definitions and Notations

7.3 A General Notion of Reichenbachian Common Cause

7.4 Notions of Causal Completeness of General Probability Theories

7.5 Some Results on Causal Completeness

7.6 Closing Comments

References

8 Causal Markov, Robustness and the Quantum Correlations

8.1 Introduction

8.2 EPR and Quantum Correlations

8.3 Redheads Robustness

8.4 Healey on Robustness

8.5 The Causal Markov Condition

8.6 Robustness and the Causal Markov Condition

8.6.1 Total Causes and the Causal Markov Condition

8.6.2 Internal Robustness, Partial Causes and the Causal Markov Condition

8.6.3 Robustness Updated

8.7 EPR and the Causal Markov Condition

8.7.1 Causal Markov, Interventions and Modularity

8.7.2 Interventions in EPR

8.7.3 Causal Markov and Other Interpretations

8.8 Conclusions

References

Part III Propensities

9 Do Dispositions and Propensities Have a Role in the Ontology of Quantum Mechanics? Some Critical Remarks

9.1 Dispositions and the Interpretive Task of Quantum Mechanics

9.2 Is the Distinction between Dispositional and Non-Dispositional Properties Genuine ?

9.3 Dispositions and Categorical Properties in QM

9.3.1 Clifton and Pagonis on Dispositionality as Contextualism

9.3.2 Suárez on Dispositions

9.4 Adding Dispositions and Propensities to GRW

9.5 Dispositions in (some) Non-Collapse Models: Bohrs Interpretation

9.5.1 Su'rez's Selective Approach to the Measurement Problem

References

10 Is the Quantum World Composed of Propensitons?

10.1 Defects of Orthodox Quantum Theory

10.2 Fundamental Defect: Failure to Solve Wave/Particle Problem

10.3 Probabilism as the Key to the Solution to the Wave/Particle Problem

10.4 Two Kinds of Fundamentally Probabilistic Entity

10.5 Guiding Principle: Stay Close to OQT

10.6 Can the .-Function be Interpreted as Specifying the Actual Physical States of Propensitons?

10.7 Precise Quantum Theoretic Conditions for Probabilistic Transitions to Occur

10.8 PQT Recovers all the Empirical Success of OQT

10.9 Crucial Experiments

10.10 What PQT Achieves

10.11 The Problem of Developing a Relativistic Version of PQT

10.12 PQT Has Its Roots in Old Quantum Theory

10.13 Why Has PQT been Ignored?

10.14 Conclusions

References

11 Derivative Dispositions and Multiple Generative Levels

11.1 Introduction

11.2 Beyond Simple Dispositions

11.2.1 Changing Dispositions

11.2.2 Rearrangement Dispositions

11.2.3 Derivative Dispositions

11.3 Examples of Derivative Dispositions

11.3.1 Energy and Force

11.3.2 Sequences, or Levels?

11.3.3 Hamiltonians, Wave Functions and Measurements

11.3.4 Virtual and Actual Processes

11.3.5 Pregeometry and the Generation of Spacetime

11.3.6 Psychology

11.4 Analytical Scheme

11.4.1 Generative Sequences

11.4.2 Principal, Instrumental and Occasional Causes

11.4.3 Causal Sequences in Physics

11.4.4 Conditional Forward Causation

11.5 Reductionism and Dispositional Essentialism

References

Name Index

Subject Index