Peaceful Coexistence: Examining Kent's Relativistic Solution to the Quantum Measurement Problem

TL;DR

This paper critically examines Kent's relativistic interpretation of quantum mechanics, analyzing Bell inequality assumptions, and argues that recent theorems suggest peaceful coexistence between quantum theory and relativity is necessary for those endorsing Parameter Independence.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of Kent's Lorentz-invariant interpretation and its implications for the quantum measurement problem and Bell inequalities.

Findings

Kent's interpretation aligns with Lorentz invariance and realist views.

Recent theorems imply peaceful coexistence is mandatory for Parameter Independence supporters.

Analogies are drawn between Kent's approach and pilot-wave theory.

Abstract

Can there be `peaceful coexistence' between quantum theory and special relativity? Thirty years ago, Shimony hoped that isolating the culprit (i.e. the false assumption) in proofs of Bell inequalities as Outcome Independence would secure such peaceful coexistence: or, if not secure it, at least show a way---maybe the best or only way---to secure it. In this paper, I begin by being sceptical of Shimony's approach, urging that we need a relativistic solution to the quantum measurement problem (Section 2). Then I analyse Outcome Independence in Kent's realist one-world Lorentz-invariant interpretation of quantum theory (Sections 3 and 4). Then I consider Shimony's other condition, Parameter Independence, both in Kent's proposal and more generally, in the light of recent remarkable theorems by Colbeck, Renner and Leegwater (Section 5). For both Outcome Independence and Parameter Independence, there is a striking analogy with the situation in pilot-wave theory. Finally, I will suggest that these recent theorems make some kind of peaceful coexistence mandatory for someone who, like Shimony, endorses Parameter Independence.