Defending Time-Symmetrized Quantum Counterfactuals

Abstract

Recently, several authors have criticized the time-symmetrized quantum theory originated by the work of Aharonov et al. (1964). The core of this criticism was a proof, appearing in various forms, which showed that the counterfactual interpretation of time-symmetrized quantum theory cannot be reconciled with standard quantum theory. I, (Vaidman, 1996a, 1997) have argued that the apparent contradiction is due to a logical error and introduced consistent time-symmetrized quantum counterfactuals. Here I repeat my arguments defending the time-symmetrized quantum theory and reply to the criticism of these arguments by Kastner (1999).

22 pages

References in corpus (5)

• Weak-Measurement Elements of Reality
• Lorentz-Invariant "Elements of Reality" and the Question of Joint Measurability of Commuting Observables
• On the validity of the Aharonov-Bergmann-Lebowitz rule
• Time-Symmetrized Quantum Theory
• Defending Time-Symmetrized Quantum Theory

Cited by in corpus (6)

• Objective probabilities, quantum counterfactuals, and the ABL rule
• TSQT `Elements of Possibility'?
• Shutters, Boxes, But No Paradoxes: Time Symmetry Puzzles in Quantum Theory
• The Utility of Time-Symmetric Quantum Counterfactuals: A Response to Kastner
• Defending the Pondicherry interpretation: A response to Shafiee, Jafar-Aghdami, and Golshani
• Quantum mechanics and elements of reality