[PhilPhys] Philosophy of Physics at Aberdeen

[Bacciagaluppi, Guido]

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

as part of the Aberdeen Philosophy of Physics Research Seminar, I am very glad to announce a talk by

Chris Timpson (Oxford), Tuesday 14 February, 10-12, New King's NK11,
Title: 'Quantum- and Macro- Realism: What does the Leggett--Garg inequality actually test?' (joint work with Owen Maroney)

Abstract: Leggett and Garg introduced their inequality in 1985 in order to test a doctrine which they called Macrorealism against experiment. Roughly, Macrorealism is the idea that macroscopic objects cannot exist in superpositions and, Leggett and Garg argue, it would entail violation of their inequality. A number of subtle experiments testing the Leggett-Garg inequality (and, indeed demonstrating its violation) have recently been performed---including by colleagues in Oxford---and this prompts our reassessment of what exactly it is that the Leggett--Garg inequality tests. Having first spent some time clarifying exactly what Macrorealism might be supposed to be, we argue for the view (also expressed previously by some other commentators) that Leggett--Garg inequality violation does not in fact disprove Macrorealism. We show (not because we have any interest in defending Macrorealism itself, let it be noted) that there are two ways in which theories can be Macrorealist and yet still violate the inequality. Nonetheless, we isolate a certain interesting species of theory which Leggett--Garg inequality violation does indeed rule out.

Best regrads,
Guido

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Postgraduate studies at Aberdeen: PhD in Philosophy, MLitt in Philosophy,
MLitt in History and Philosophy of Science, MLitt in Philosophical Research.
For details see http://www.abdn.ac.uk/philosophy/pgrad .
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Guido Bacciagaluppi
Department of Philosophy
University of Aberdeen
Old Brewery
High Street
Aberdeen AB24 3UB
U.K.

Tel.:   +44 (0)1224 272913
Fax:    +44 (0)1224 273750
E-mail: g.bacciagaluppi at abdn.ac.uk
Web: http://www.abdn.ac.uk/philosophy/staff/details.php?id=g.bacciagaluppi


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