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A discrepancy between the usual interpretation of Bell's theorem and a full theory of quantum gravity

Physics Asked by LouisV on January 3, 2021

**** This question has been modified following the discussion below. ****

Bell’s theorem says, in a nutshell, that “local hidden-variable theories (HVT) cannot exist” (since they contradict QM in Bell experiments, which are agreeing with QM). So only non-local HVT could reproduce all predictions of QM; “non-local” here means: involving superluminal signals/influences, i.e. non-Lorentz-invariant signals violating relativity theory (RT) (this is an explicit conclusion of Bell’s well-known article from 1964; some people nowadays understand “nonlocal” in a softer way, such as “violating Bell inequalities”, but for my question we need to use Bell’s original definition). That is why very few physicists believe in HVs, whether local or nonlocal. Now, it seems to me that there is a significant gap between this standard interpretation of Bell’s theorem and the future construction of a full-blown theory of quantum gravity (F-QG). What I call a full theory of QG (F-QG) is one that can derive both QM and GR (general relativity) from more fundamental variables/properties/equations, so this would be a HVT allowing to explain QM and GR, just as electromagnetism can explain optics, magnetostatics etc as special cases, approximations, limits of a more fundamental theory. (String theory, ST, does not qualify as a F-QG, it seems, as follows from a discussion based on the original version of this question: ST is not a HVT, it assumes QM.)

Now, assuming a F-QG exists (see e.g. Nobel Laureate Gerard ‘t Hooft on this matter: https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1742-6596/504/1/012003), it seems to me that the F-QG variables/properties/equations would NOT be nonlocal in Bell’s strong sense (i.e. involving non-Lorentz-invariant, superluminal signals) – they would allow to derive GR, after all. So such a F-QG would be a local HVT. My question: is this reasoning correct?

In sum, if I understand this correctly, there seems to be a discrepancy between the standard interpretation of Bell’s theorem and the research efforts of many theoretical physicists, who believe that a F-QG theory does exist: such a F-QG theory would be a local HVT.

Actually, there are one or two known escape-routes from Bell’s no-go verdict (Bell’s conclusion is based on one or two implicit assumptions, which are not trivial; see e.g. the work by ‘t Hooft, who does believe that the standard interpretation of Bell’s result is mistaken). Thanks in advance !

2 Answers

A hidden variable theory is a theory that isn't really quantum, but imitates quantum mechanics well enough to pass experimental tests.

String theory is really quantum. It doesn't derive quantum mechanics from more fundamental principles; it just assumes it. String theory predicts a violation of Bell's inequality for exactly the same reason as any other quantum theory.

I think it's plausible that research into quantum gravity could lead to some new insight into the nature of quantum mechanics, but I'm pretty sure it hasn't happened yet.

Answered by benrg on January 3, 2021

The logic of perturbative string theory, goes in the following way.

Relativistic strings are the fundamental building block an a successful quantization of those strings actually exist (see any string theory textbook). What you learn from this is that quantum mechanics and special relativity are inputs in string theory. That shouldn't surprise no one, ordinary relativistic quantum mechanics does exactly the same.

What is amazing about string theory, is that there is no guarantee, that a framework that respects SR and QM can produce a consistent framework for the quantum mechanics of general relativity. In fact, there is no single example of such class of theories; except string theory.

Target spacetime in perturbative string theory can be literally tought as the moduli space of the string worldsheet scalars. The worldsheet CFT dictate the spacetime dynamics, and its quantum consistency force spacetime to obey Einstein's field equations. Much more is true, the quantum dynamics of spacetime (graviton scattering) is finite whitin string theory. Reference: Why are there gravitons in string theory.

To answer your actual question: String theory is a purely quantum mechanical theory, hidden local or non-local variables are incompatible with the assumptions of string theory.

Answered by Ramiro Hum-Sah on January 3, 2021

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