1996/09/07 by Lev Vaidman, Vaidman, Lev
Physics and Astronomy · #FOS: Physical sciences #Quantum Physics (quant-ph) #quant-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.quant-ph/9609007
19 pages, LaTeX
arxiv created 1996/09/07 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01
Recently, several authors have criticized time-symmetrized quantum theory originated by the work of Aharonov et al. (1964). The core of this criticism was the proof, which appeared in various forms, showing that counterfactual interpretation of time-symmetrized quantum theory cannot be reconciled with the standard quantum theory. I argue here that the apparent contradiction appears due to inappropriate usage of traditional time asymmetric approach to counterfactuals, and that the contradiction disappears when the problem is analyzed in terms of time-symmetric counterfactuals. I analyze various aspects of time-symmetry of quantum theory and defend the time-symmetrized formalism.