The notion of locality in relational quantum mechanics

TL;DR

This paper clarifies the concept of locality in relational quantum mechanics, arguing that quantum non-locality can be understood through common causes without invoking mysterious influences, thus refining the interpretation of quantum phenomena.

Contribution

It demonstrates that Bell's notion of non-locality, within the relational framework, reduces to common causes in indeterministic contexts, challenging traditional views.

Findings

Relational quantum mechanics reinterprets non-locality as common causes.

No need for space-like influences to explain quantum correlations.

Clarifies the meaning of locality in quantum theory.

Abstract

The term 'locality' is used in different contexts with different meanings. There have been claims that relational quantum mechanics is local, but it is not clear then how it accounts for the effects that go under the usual name of quantum non-locality. The present article shows that the failure of 'locality' in the sense of Bell, once interpreted in the relational framework, reduces to the existence of a common cause in an indeterministic context. In particular, there is no need to appeal to a mysterious space-like influence to understand it.