In this paper I assess the adequacy of no-conspiracy conditions employed in the usual derivations of the Bell inequality in the context of EPR correlations. First, I look at the EPR correlations from a purely phenomenological point of view and claim that common cause explanations of these cannot be ruled out. I argue that an appropriate common cause explanation requires that no-conspiracy conditions are reinterpreted as mere common cause-measurement independence conditions. In the right circumstances then, violations of measurement independence need (...) not entail any kind of conspiracy (nor backwards in time causation). To the contrary, if measurement operations in the EPR context are taken to be causally relevant in a specific way to the experiment outcomes, their explicit causal role provides the grounds for a common cause explanation of the corresponding correlations. (shrink)

In this paper I assess the adequacy of no-conspiracy conditions employed in the usual derivations of the Bell inequality in the context of EPR correlations. First, I look at the EPR correlations from a purely phenomenological point of view and claim that common cause explanations of these cannot be ruled out. I argue that an appropriate common cause explanation requires that no-conspiracy conditions are re-interpreted as mere common cause-measurement independence conditions. In the right circumstances then, violations of measurement independence need (...) not entail any kind of conspiracy (nor backwards in time causation). To the contrary, if measurement operations in the EPR context are taken to be causally relevant in a specific way to the experiment outcomes, their explicit causal role provides the grounds for a common cause explanation of the corresponding correlations. (shrink)

In this paper, I challenge the widespread view that Measurement Independence adequately represents the requirement that EPR experimenters have free will. Measurement Independence is most commonly taken as a necessary condition for free will. A number of implicit assumptions can be identified in this regard, all of which can be challenged on their own grounds. As a result, I conclude that Measurement Independence-type conditions are not to be justified by appealing to the preservation of the EPR experimenters’ free will.

Se discuten en este trabajo las implicaciones ontológicas de un posible modelo de causa común para las correlaciones EPR, cuya característica principal radica en el hecho de que las operaciones de medida en ambas alas del experimento son explícitamente relevantes para las causas comunes. Gracias precisamente a este tipo de dependencias entre causas comunes y operaciones de medida, el modelo sortea las implicaciones del teorema de Bell. El modelo, sin embargo, resulta patentemente no local, lo que se refleja bien en (...) una ontología en que las causas comunes se conciben como eventos deslocalizados espacio-temporalmente o, en caso contrario, en la existencia de interacciones causales no locales. (shrink)

We offer a review of some of the most influential views on the status of Reichenbach’s Principle of the Common Cause (PCC) for genuinely indeterministic systems. We first argue that the PCC is properly a conjunction of two distinct claims, one metaphysical and another methodological. Both claims can and have been contested in the literature, but here we simply assume that the metaphysical claim is correct, in order to focus our analysis on the status of the methodological claim. We briefly (...) review the most entrenched or classical positions, including Salmon’s ‘interactive forks’, van Fraassen’s scepticism, and Cartwright’s generalisation of the fork criterion. We then go on to review the results of the ‘Budapest school’ on the existence of formally defined screening-off events for any correlation —by means of the ideas of probability space extensibility and (Reichenbachian common cause) completability. We distinguish the Budapest doctrine clearly from any of the classical conceptions, and thus present an overall framework for discussions of causal inference in quantum mechanics. The framework, however preliminary, is essential work for a thorough assessment of the conditions under which PCC may be a reliable tool for causal inference in a genuinely probabilistic (indeterministic) context. (shrink)

It is still a controversial issue whether Reichenbach’s Principle of the Common Cause (RPCC) is a sound method for causal inference. In fact, the status of the principle has been a subject of intense philosophical debate. An extensive literature has been thus generated both with arguments in favor and against the adequacy of the principle. A remarkable argument against the principle, first proposed by Elliott Sober (Sober, 1987, 2001), consists on a counterexample which involves corelations between bread prices in Britain (...) and sea levels in Venice. The aim of this paper is to put into perspective criticisms to RPCC of the kind of Sober’s in the light of recent formal results regarding the so-called extendability and common cause completability. (shrink)

The paper analyses in some depth the distinction by Paul Humphreys between "epistemic opacity" —which I refer to as "weak epistemic opacity" here— and "essential epistemic opacity", and defends the idea that epistemic opacity in general can be made sense as coming in degrees. The idea of degrees of epistemic opacity is then exploited to show, in the context of computer simulations, the tight relation between the concept of epistemic opacity and actual scientific (modelling and simulation) practices. As a consequence, (...) interesting questions arise in connection with the role of agents dealing with epistemically opaque processes such as computer simulations. (shrink)

We offer a review of some of the most influential views on the status of Reichenbach’s Principle of the Common Cause (RPCC) for genuinely indeterministic systems. We first argue that the RPCC is properly a conjunction of two distinct claims, one metaphysical and another methodological. Both claims can and have been contested in the literature, but here we simply assume that the metaphysical claim is correct, in order to focus our analysis on the status of the methodological claim. We briefly (...) review the most entrenched or classical positions, including Salmon’s ‘interactive forks’, van Fraassen’s scepticism, and Cartwright’s generalisation of the fork criterion. We then go on to review the results of the ‘Budapest school’ on the existence of formally defined screening­ off events for any correlation —by means of the ideas of probability space extensibility and (Reichenbachian common cause) completability. We distinguish the Budapest doctrine clearly from any of the classical conceptions, and thus present an overall framework for discussions of causal inference in quantum mechanics. We argue that this review is preliminary essential work for a thorough assessment of the conditions under which RCCP may be a reliable tool for causal inference in a genuinely probabilistic (indeterministic) context. (shrink)

It is still a matter of controversy whether the Principle of the Common Cause (PCC) can be used as a basis for sound causal inference. It is thus to be expected that its application to quantum mechanics should be a correspondingly controversial issue. Indeed the early 90’s saw a flurry of papers addressing just this issue in connection with the EPR correlations. Yet, that debate does not seem to have caught up with the most recent literature on causal inference generally, (...) which has moved on to consider the virtues of a generalised PCC-inspired condition, the so-called Causal Markov Condition (CMC). In this paper we argue that the CMC is an appropriate benchmark for debating possible causal explanations of the EPR correlations. But we go on to take issue with some pronouncements on EPR by defenders of the CMC. (shrink)

It is still a matter of controversy whether the Principle of the Common Cause can be used as a basis for sound causal inference. It is thus to be expected that its application to quantum mechanics should be a correspondingly controversial issue. Indeed the early 90’s saw a flurry of papers addressing just this issue in connection with the EPR correlations. Yet, that debate does not seem to have caught up with the most recent literature on causal inference generally, which (...) has moved on to consider the virtues of a generalised PCC inspired condition, the so called Causal Markov Condition. In this paper we argue that the CMC is an appropriate benchmark for debating possible causal explanations of the EPR correlations. But we go on to take issue with some pronouncements on EPR by defenders of the CMC. (shrink)

We distinguish two sub-types of each of the two causality principles formulated in connection with the Common Cause Principle in Henson and raise and investigate the problem of logical relations among the resulting four causality principles. Based in part on the analysis of the status of these four principles in algebraic quantum field theory we will argue that the four causal principles are non- equivalent.

In a recent paper in this Journal San Pedro I formulated a conjecture relating Measurement Independence and Parameter Independence, in the context of common cause explanations of EPR correlations. My conjecture suggested that a violation of Measurement Independence would entail a violation of Parameter Independence as well. Leszek Wroński has shown that conjecture to be false. In this note, I review Wroński’s arguments and agree with him on the fate of the conjecture. I argue that what is interesting about (...) the conjecture, however, is not whether it is true or false in itself, but the reasons for the actual verdict, and their implications regarding locality. (shrink)

We distinguish two sub-types of each of the two causality principles formulated in connection with the Common Cause Principle in Henson (2005) and raise and investigate the problem of logical relations among the resulting four causality principles. Based in part on the analysis of the status of these four principles in algebraic quantum field theory we will argue that the four causal principles are non-equivalent.

This paper discusses archaeological, historical, and contemporary ethnographic evidence for the use of the San Pedro cactus in northern Peru as a vehicle for traveling between worlds and for imparting the “vista” (magical sight) necessary for shamanic healers to divine the cause of their patients' ailments. Using iconographic, ethnohistorical, and ethnographic evidence for the uninterrupted use of this sacred plant as a means of access to the Divine and as a tool for healing, it describes the relationship between San (...) Pedro, ancestor worship, water/fertility cults and also the common symbolic associations between San Pedro and wind-spirits. It closes by suggesting that the more than 2000 year time-depth of using this plant as a means for accessing the realms of Spirit and as a tool for healing should serve to challenge the unfortunate tendency in the contemporary United States to consider this plant as a “recreational drug.”. (shrink)

La investigación sobre el trazado intelectual de las rutas latinas europeas hacia la península ibérica con anterioridad al s. XIII está aportando algunos hallazgos particularmente interesantes. En este artículo se aborda un estudio de caso vinculado a la transmisión e intercambio del saber que, muy lejos de haber sido desentrañado, continúa apareciendo como un problema complejo que requiere de nuevas aproximaciones epistemológicas ‒si lo que se pretende es alcanzar un encuadre congruente del problema. El estudio de las rutas de intercambio (...) intelectual en la península ibérica en los siglos IX-XII ‒fundamentalmente, textos doctrinales latinos en circulación dentro del territorio de al-Andalus y entre comunidades de cristianos arabizados‒ nos lleva a pensar que algunas de las conclusiones que se habían propuesto sobre las influencias doctrinales presentes en el _Tathlīth_ _al-waḥdāniyyah_ no pueden constatarse: poner en relación la _Theologia_ _Summi boni_ de Pedro Abelardo con la tríada “poder” (_qudrah_), “conocimiento” (_ʿilm_) y “voluntad” (_irādah_) que el anónimo autor emplea para caracterizar los atributos de las tres personas de la Trinidad. Se han propuesto nuevas hipótesis sobre una vía de influencia que llegaría a través de la tríada empleada por Hugo de san Víctor en el _De tribus diebus_, cuya línea de influencia habría que situarla en la tríada empleada por Ambrosio de Milán, tal y como ha sido planteado por Dominique Poirel. No obstante, investigaciones más recientes proponen nuevas vías de penetración doctrinal en la Península que, en cierto modo, comparten la tríada de Ambrosio pero que habrían llegado a la Península (al-Andalus en particular) por vías de intercambio textual y doctrinal procedentes de Oriente Próximo y de origen griego. A lo largo de este trabajo se presentan hipótesis y resultados llevados a cabo en investigaciones previas, así como una recapitulación e hipótesis de investigaciones en curso. Se trata de una nota de investigación que no posee un carácter conclusivo, antes bien, pretende aportar nuevas vías de aproximación al problema. (shrink)

En el presente estudio se realiza una presentación de la escultura de san Pedro de Alcántara del artista de Hervás Pérez Comendador. La perspectiva de la lectura realizada entra dentro de la historia del pensamiento analizando la obra en el contexto personal, histórico y artístico del autor, de la significación implícita y explícita de su composición en diálogo con la teología alcantarina y el contexto filosófico-teológico de la composición escultórica. The present study will realize the presentation of the sculpture (...) of St. Peter of Alcantara made by the artist Hervás Pérez Comendador. The prospect of reading done falls will be take place within the history of thought by analyzing the work in personal, historical and artistic context of the author’s implicit and explicit meaning of his composition alcantarina dialogue with theology and philosophical-theological context of the sculptural composition. (shrink)

In a recent paper in this Journal Iñaki San Pedro put forward a conjecture regarding the relationship between no-conspiracy and parameter independence in EPR scenarios; namely, that violation of the former implies violation of the latter. He also offered an argument supporting the conjecture. In this short note I present a method of constructing counterexamples to the conjecture and point to a mistake in the argument.

Desde la mirada de los estudios de la cultura y la hegemonía del poder esta investigación explora desde la perspectiva de sus habitantes, el sentir popular y la apropiación de la celebración religiosa de San Pedro y San Pablo en la parroquia Picoazá (Portoviejo – Ecuador). Para el fin se acude a la metodología cualitativa, utilizando la entrevista como herramienta de corte etnográfico. Los resultados plantean un colectivo apegado a la religión con connotaciones significativas en la organización social y (...) cultural del entorno, dando paso a la reproducción de tradiciones heredadas de generación en generación. Las mismas que a la par, fetichizan y esencializan la actividad, e invisibilizan otros aspectos inherentes a las prácticas culturales. (shrink)

San Pedro de Alcántara destaca por su vida de profundización en la vida contemplativa y mística. Un ejemplo palpable de esta actitud la encontramos su Tratado de Oración y Meditación. En esta reflexión realizamos una lectura filosófica de un párrafo de la meditación del primar día de esta obra alcantarina. Desde la antropología existencial, el autor del Tratado nos invita a la contemplación de uno mismo, para llegar a la trascendencia y la alteridad que deja su huella en lo (...) más profundo del ser personal. Saint Pedro of Alcántara stands out for his enthusiasm for a comtemplative and mystical life. A very good instance of his disposition towards this can be found in his “Tratado de Oración y Meditación”. In this reflection we can interpret philosophically a paragraph from this particular work, which deals with meditation on the first day, that is to say, on Monday. By means of existential anthropology, the author invites us to look thoroughly into ourselves so that we can reach a transcendental state which will mark our inner self. (shrink)

La investigación sobre el trazado intelectual de las rutas latinas europeas hacia la península ibérica con anterioridad al s. XIII está aportando algunos hallazgos particularmente interesantes. En este artículo se aborda un estudio de caso vinculado a la transmisión e intercambio del saber que, muy lejos de haber sido desentrañado, continúa apareciendo como un problema complejo que requiere de nuevas aproximaciones epistemológicas ‒si lo que se pretende es alcanzar un encuadre congruente del problema. El estudio de las rutas de intercambio (...) intelectual en la península ibérica en los siglos IX-XII ‒fundamentalmente, textos doctrinales latinos en circulación dentro del territorio de al-Andalus y entre comunidades de cristianos arabizados‒ nos lleva a pensar que algunas de las conclusiones que se habían propuesto sobre las influencias doctrinales presentes en el Tathlīth al-waḥdāniyyah no pueden constatarse: poner en relación la Theologia Summi boni de Pedro Abelardo con la tríada “poder” (qudrah), “conocimiento” (ʿilm) y “voluntad” (irādah) que el anónimo autor emplea para caracterizar los atributos de las tres personas de la Trinidad. Se han propuesto nuevas hipótesis sobre una vía de influencia que llegaría a través de la tríada empleada por Hugo de san Víctor en el De tribus diebus, cuya línea de influencia habría que situarla en la tríada empleada por Ambrosio de Milán, tal y como ha sido planteado por Dominique Poirel. No obstante, investigaciones más recientes proponen nuevas vías de penetración doctrinal en la Península que, en cierto modo, comparten la tríada de Ambrosio pero que habrían llegado a la Península (al-Andalus en particular) por vías de intercambio textual y doctrinal procedentes de Oriente Próximo y de origen griego. A lo largo de este trabajo se presentan hipótesis y resultados llevados a cabo en investigaciones previas, así como una recapitulación e hipótesis de investigaciones en curso. Se trata de una nota de investigación que no posee un carácter conclusivo, antes bien, pretende aportar nuevas vías de aproximación al problema. (shrink)

Partiendo de una reflexión sobre los distintos modos de nombrar el seguimiento de Cristo y de algunas de las principales formas en que se ha concretado en el Ife del cristiano a lo largo de la historia (martirio, vida monástica, vida contemplativa, vida activa, etc.), llegamos a las Sociedades de Vida Apostólica, como un camino original y genuino, cuya primera manfestación se encuentra en el Oratorio de San Felipe Neri. En las dos notas siguientes (pp. 579-602 y 603-618) se hace (...) una breve descripción histórica sobre este peculiar santo, señalando, al mismo tiempo, los rasgos más distintivos de su espiritualidad y de su obra. (shrink)