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Scientific article
Open access
English

Real numbers are the hidden variables of classical mechanics

ContributorsGisin, Nicolas
Publication date2019
Abstract

Do scientific theories limit human knowledge? In other words, are there physical variables hidden by essence forever? We argue for negative answers and illustrate our point on chaotic classical dynamical systems. We emphasize parallels with quantum theory and conclude that the common real numbers are, de facto, the hidden variables of classical physics. Consequently, real numbers should not be considered as “physically real” and classical mechanics, like quantum physics, is indeterministic.

Keywords
  • Hidden variables
  • Chaotic classical mechanics
  • Intuitionistic mathematics
Citation (ISO format)
GISIN, Nicolas. Real numbers are the hidden variables of classical mechanics. In: Quantum Studies: Mathematics and Foundations, 2019. doi: 10.1007/s40509-019-00211-8
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Article (Published version)
Identifiers
ISSN of the journal2196-5609
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155downloads

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