The Assumptions of Bell's Proof

TL;DR

This paper clarifies the assumptions underlying Bell's theorem, addressing disagreements about what the theorem actually demonstrates in the foundations of quantum physics.

Contribution

It analyzes and clarifies the assumptions used in Bell's proof to resolve debates about its implications.

Findings

Clarifies the assumptions in Bell's theorem

Highlights misunderstandings in the interpretation of Bell's proof

Provides a clearer framework for analyzing Bell's theorem

Abstract

While it is widely agreed that Bell's theorem is an important result in the foundations of quantum physics, there is much disagreement about what exactly Bell's theorem shows. It is agreed that Bell derived a contradiction with experimental facts from some list of assumptions, thus showing that at least one of the assumptions must be wrong; but there is disagreement about what the assumptions were that went into the argument. In this paper, I make a few points in order to help clarify the situation.