Consistent Sets Yield Contrary Inferences in Quantum Theory

Adrian Kent
Phys. Rev. Lett. 78, 2874 – Published 14 April 1997
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Abstract

In the consistent histories formulation of quantum theory, the probabilistic predictions and retrodictions made from observed data depend on the choice of a consistent set. We show that this freedom allows the formalism to retrodict contrary propositions which correspond to orthogonal commuting projections and which each have probability one. We also show that the formalism makes contrary probability one predictions when applied to Gell-Mann and Hartle's generalized time-neutral quantum mechanics.

  • Received 15 March 1996

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.78.2874

©1997 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Adrian Kent

  • Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, University of Cambridge, Silver Street, Cambridge CB3 9EW, United Kingdom

Comments & Replies

Kent Replies:

Adrian Kent
Phys. Rev. Lett. 81, 1982 (1998)

Comment on “Consistent Sets Yield Contrary Inferences in Quantum Theory”

Robert B. Griffiths and James B. Hartle
Phys. Rev. Lett. 81, 1981 (1998)

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Vol. 78, Iss. 15 — 14 April 1997

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