Bernardo Kastrup Λ Sabine Hossenfelder: Superdeterminism

Curt Jaimungal

Importance of live discussions to convey nuances lost in text.

The discussion is between Sabine Hossenfelder and Bernardo Kastrup.

Sabine Hossenfelder is a theoretical physicist researching quantum gravity and superdeterminism.

Bernardo Kastrup is the executive director of the Asencia Foundation and a proponent of metaphysical idealism.

Curt Jaimungal, the host, introduces his channel focused on theories of everything.

Sabine Hossenfelder Explains Superdeterminism

Superdeterminism isn't a theory, but a characteristic of theories addressing the measurement problem in quantum mechanics.

The measurement problem stems from the incompatibility of the wave function's evolution (Schrödinger equation) and its update (wave function collapse).

Common solutions involve considering the update as a non-physical process, an update of knowledge.

Replacing the collapse with a local process compatible with general relativity is explored, but deemed impossible due to Bell's theorem.

Superdeterminism violates statistical independence, a key assumption in many quantum mechanics interpretations.

Bernardo Kastrup's Response and Discussion on Hidden Variables

Kastrup agrees with Hossenfelder's rejection of metaphysical commitments in science.

Kastrup disagrees on hidden variables, arguing that they lack proper definition and are not merely a historical naming convention.

Kastrup desires a deterministic theory for single measurements, not just ensembles.

Kastrup uses an analogy of an airplane cockpit to illustrate how physical properties might be context-dependent, appearing only upon measurement.

Debate on Statistical Independence and Experimental Design

Hossenfelder emphasizes the reliance on assumptions, like statistical independence, in interpreting experimental results.

Hossenfelder suggests that violating statistical independence is a more promising approach than violating locality.

Hossenfelder focuses on testable predictions, leaving metaphysical interpretations to philosophers.

Hossenfelder explains statistical independence: measurement settings don't change what's being measured.

Hossenfelder argues against arbitrarily transferring assumptions from classical to quantum mechanics.

Hossenfelder points out that hidden variables are not well-defined, and the proposed experiment's limitations in refuting the hypothesis.

Further Discussion on Experimental Design and Hidden Variables

Hossenfelder points out that Kastrup is criticizing an outdated version of the experiment.

The discussion centers on whether Kastrup's model is falsifiable.

Hossenfelder explains the experimental design to minimize the impact of unknown hidden variables.

Hossenfelder clarifies that superdeterminism itself is not falsifiable, but specific models are.

Kastrup explains his model where hidden variables are detector degrees of freedom, not measurement settings.

Concluding Remarks and Audience Questions

Sabine questions why people are so opposed to violating statistical independence.

Sabine reflects on the aggressive nature of their approach in challenging established physics.

Bernardo questions Sabine's return to physical realism in the discussion.

Bernardo considers hidden variables at this stage to be a fantasy.

Sabine answers an audience question about the definition of measurement in the double-slit experiment.

Bernardo and Sabine discuss the possibility of a unifying force.

Bernardo answers more audience questions after Sabine leaves.

Bernardo discusses a viewer's question about Yoshabach's theory of consciousness.