No Interaction without Prior Correlation: Comment on Huw Price

Abstract

The essence of Huw Price’s piece is a recommendation — that his so-called ‘no teleology’ principle be abandoned within microphysics. For if that is done (he argues) many of the problems in interpreting quantum mechanics will evaporate. There are (he adds) no major obstacles to following his recommendation, for the standard reasons for imposing the principle are restricted to macrophysics. Price does not examine these reasons in any detail, and relies mainly on cited literature, plus a couple of illustrative examples — for he clearly regards the macroscopic principle as beyond all reasonable doubt, and quite familiar to his audience. It is this fact that gives weight to his recommendation, for if the principle did not apply to the macroworld, there would be no temptation to apply it to the microworld. It thus becomes vital to ask if the macroscopic principle is trustworthy, and such an enquiry is to be the main burden of this commentary. I aim to show that despite its wide endorsement, the principle is not plausible. Where this leaves Price’s claims about the microworld is unclear to me.