Nullification of the Nullification

TL;DR

This paper refutes the claim that MKC models nullify the Kochen-Specker theorem by emphasizing that measurements reveal information rather than pre-existing values, and extends the theorem to non-ideal measurements.

Contribution

It provides a new counter-argument against MKC models and proves a generalized Kochen-Specker theorem applicable to non-ideal measurements.

Findings

MKC models do not nullify the Kochen-Specker theorem

A generalized theorem applies to non-ideal measurements

SBZL's argument has a critical loophole

Abstract

A recent claim by Meyer, Kent and Clifton (MKC), that their models ``nullify'' the Kochen-Specker theorem, has attracted much comment. In this paper we present a new counter-argument, based on the fact that a classical measurement reveals, not simply a pre-existing value, but pre-existing classical information. In the MKC models measurements do not generally reveal pre-existing classical information. Consequently, the Kochen-Specker theorem is not nullified. We go on to prove a generalized version of the Kochen-Specker theorem, applying to non-ideal quantum measurements. The theorem was inspired by the work of Simon et al and Larsson (SBZL). However, there is a loophole in SBZL's argument, which means that their result is invalid (operational non-contextuality is not inconsistent with the empirical predictions of quantum mechanics). Our treatment resolves this difficulty. We conclude by discussing the question, whether the MKC models can reproduce the empirical predictions of quantum mechanics.