Superdeterminism

Quick meaning: Superdeterminism is a noun meaning (physics, quantum mechanics) A form of determinism that precludes the assumption, made by Bell's theorem, that an experimenter can make measurements that are independent of each other and of any hidden variables.

Meaning

(physics, quantum mechanics) A form of determinism that precludes the assumption, made by Bell's theorem, that an experimenter can make measurements that are independent of each other and of any hidden variables.

Example Sentences

If we permit superdeterminism of this kind, involving the rigorous establishment of both human experimenters and of the quantum system, then the EPR/Bell argument is essentially halted from the beginning.

In the context of Bell's theorem, superdeterminism represents a hypothesis whereby a key assumption of the theorem—that it is possible to make measurements that are independent both of each other and of any hidden variables that would determine the measurement outcome—is not fulfilled, and so the theorem is inapplicable.

2016, Gerard 't Hooft, The Cellular Automaton Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics, Fundamental Theories of Physics: Volume 185, Springer, page 4, Bell noticed that superdeterminism could provide a loophole around his theorem, but as most researchers also today, he was quick to dismiss it as "absurd". As we hope to be able to demonstrate, however, superdeterminism may not quite be absurd as it seems.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include superdeterminist, superdeterminant, indeterminism, superselection, beable, nondemolition.

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