QUANTUM THEORY AND LOCAL CAUSALITY

Aim of the course: The aim of the course is to investigate how the notions of locality and causality fare in quantum theory.

Prerequisites for the course: The course is self-contained; it does not presuppose any knowledge of quantum mechanics or the mathematical foundations thereof; it requires however hard work on part of the students during the semester.

Course schedule:

1. Real world quantum correlations
2. The quantum theory of spin
3. The Common Cause Principle
   
4. The Bell inequalities
5. The algebraic approach to quantum theory
   
6. What is a local physical theory?
7. Locality and causality concepts in local physical theories
8. Bell's local causality in local physical theories
9. Local causality and the Causal Markov Condition
   

Literature:

• J. S. Bell: Speakable and Unspeakable in Quantum mechanics, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2004.
• R. Haag: Local Quantum Physics, Berlin, New York: Sringer, 1992.
• H. Halvorson: "Algebraic Quantum Field Theory," in J. Butterfield and J. Earman (eds.): Philosophy of Physics,  Elsevier, 2007.
• G. Hofer-Szabó, M. Rédei and L. E. Szabó: The Principle of the Common Cause, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2013.
• L. Ruetsche: Interpreting Quantum Theories, Oxford: Clarendon Press, 2011.