English

Discussion: Time-Symmetric Quantum Counterfactuals

Quantum Physics 2014-01-27 v1

Abstract

There is a trend to consider counterfactuals as invariably time-asymmetric. Recently, this trend manifested itself in the controversy about validity of counterfactual application of a time-symmetric quantum probability rule. Kastner (2003) analyzed this controversy and concluded that there are time-symmetric quantum counterfactuals which are consistent, but they turn out to be trivial. I correct Kastner's misquotation of my defense of time-symmetric quantum counterfactuals and explain their non-trivial aspects, thus contesting the claim that counterfactuals have to be time-asymmetric.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1401.6281,
  title  = {Discussion: Time-Symmetric Quantum Counterfactuals},
  author = {Lev Vaidman},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1401.6281},
  year   = {2014}
}

Comments

This unpublished manuscript from 2003 is a comment-reply to Kastner (2003), arXiv:1401.5790

R2 v1 2026-06-22T02:53:58.719Z