Tim Maudlin: Quantum Realism, Bell's Theorem, and the Pilot Wave

Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal

Curt Jaimungal

Physics, Philosophy, Society & Culture, Science

4.6 • 606 Ratings

🗓️ 11 October 2022

⏱️ 175 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Tim Maudlin discusses quantum realism, Bell's theorem, and the pilot‑wave interpretation, challenging common views of quantum mechanics. He explores the role of mathematics, geometry, and time in physics while reviewing key books on quantum foundations.- 00:00:00 - Introduction- 00:01:53 - Philosophy of physics- 00:04:18 - Physics without numbers- 00:20:20 - Truth and mathematics- 00:29:08 - Pythagoras on irrational numbers- 00:31:31 - Geometry as core of reality- 00:39:11 - Data errors (detector efficiency)- 00:45:02 - Bell's theorem, non‑locality, realism- 00:50:38 - Superdeterminism & retrocausality- 01:27:08 - Quantum foundations books- 01:31:10 - "Beables": what exists?- 01:33:57 - Mathematical universe critique- 01:38:31 - Spatialize time or temporalize space?- 01:46:37 - Against Occam, Feynman, backward time- 01:56:56 - Time is not illusion- 02:01:50 - Quantum mechanics with observers- 02:08:36 - Classifying quantum theories & Penrose- 02:16:25 - Pilot wave theory overview- 02:20:18 - Philosophy vs physics vs math- 02:28:53 - Consciousness hardest question- 02:32:28 - Disproofs of functionalism- 02:37:15 - Wolfram- 02:38:56 - Arrow of time- 02:41:49 - Bergson, Einstein, Bohm- 02:44:48 - Bell personal stories- 02:50:54 - Causation, Pearle, mental sharpnessSPONSORS:- Brilliant: https://brilliant.org/TOE for 20% offRESOURCES:- YouTube link: https://youtu.be/fU1bs5o3nss- http://theoriesofeverything.org- New TOE Website (early access to episodes): https://theoriesofeverything.org/- Patreon: https://patreon.com/curtjaimungal- Crypto: https://tinyurl.com/cryptoTOE- PayPal: https://tinyurl.com/paypalTOE- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOEwithCurt- Discord Invite: https://discord.com/invite/kBcnfNVwqs- iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/better-left-unsaid-with-curt-jaimungal/id1521758802- Pandora: https://pdora.co/33b9lfP- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gL14b92xAErofYQA7bU4e- Subreddit r/TheoriesOfEverything: https://reddit.com/r/theoriesofeverything- Quantum Non-Locality and Relativity: https://amzn.to/3rOLpuG- The Metaphysics Within Physics: https://amzn.to/3fZmjXs- Philosophy of Physics (Space and Time): https://amzn.to/3EHNPCO- New Foundations for Physical Geometry: https://amzn.to/3Ms6hl6- Philosophy of Physics (Quantum Theory): https://amzn.to/3EDu2Vd Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal features long-form, technically detailed interviews with leading researchers in physics, mathematics, consciousness, and philosophy, exploring topics at the level of active research. For academics, graduate students, and anyone seeking depth beyond popular science. SPONSOR: I personally subscribe to The Economist. TOE listeners get 35% off the annual subscription. No other podcast has this! https://economist.com/TOE FOLLOW: Substack | Spotify | YouTube | Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Tim Modlin is a professor at NYU, a visiting professor at Harvard and Carnegie Mellon, as well as an
0:06.2	influential philosopher of science specializing in the metaphysical foundations of physics and logic.
0:11.9	Today we discuss various interpretations of quantum mechanics, including bomium mechanics, which is
0:16.6	also known as pilot wave theory. We talk about superdeterminism, as well as how quantum mechanics
0:21.2	can be formulated without observers. Also reformulations of the foundations of physics without
0:26.4	numbers, and also how to place time as primal rather than a derived notion or rather than spatializing
0:32.7	time, which is what's generally done. Next time, with Tim, we'll also get to the Liars Paradox
0:37.3	and computation and consciousness. Write down your Next time with Tim will also get to the Liar's paradox and computation and
0:38.6	consciousness. Write down your questions below because Tim will most likely be coming on again for a
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1:11.1	random variable distributions and knowledge and uncertainty in order to learn a bit more about entropy.
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1:39.7	and I recommend that you don't stop before four lessons. I think you'll be greatly surprised that the ease
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