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Originally Posted by DrChinese
So it is not just semantic or metaphysical to say that particles do not have simultaneous values to some observables. It is a physical reality (per Bell's Theorem etc.) that either they don't have such simultaneous attributes, or there exist non-local (i.e. faster than the speed of light) forces of which we are otherwise unaware. It is not clear that either of these alternatives have preferential footing currently. However, the general belief is that reality is shaped by the "context" of an observation... i.e. that reality is contextual. If reality was fully observer independent by classical standards, then it would need to be non-contextual.
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You hit the nail on the head: there are two, quite different underlying physical theories that can explain the data, yet it is in principle impossible to collect any more empirical evidence that could decide the issue. That's about as dismal as it gets. Physics has nothing on ecology or economics!
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So the usual general conclusion is: classical observer independence of particle attributes is ruled out by physical experiment.
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Ah, now the philosophy of physics--my favorite subject! I see one major problem with your thesis. Science says the universe existed for billions of years before any observers evolved. Therefore, the universe has been observer independent for the vast majority of its history. Or have I just inadvertantly discovered a new proof of the existence of God?
