On Hidden Variables and Quantum Mechanical Probabilities

Abstract

An argument, due originally to J. S. Bell, is somewhat simplified and made more specific. It deals primarily with a quantum mechanical system consisting of the spins of two spin-12 particles. It shows that a description of the quantum mechanical measurement of the spin components of these two particles by means of hidden parameters is impossible if we assume that the parameters determining the outcome of the measurement of the spin of each particle are independent of the direction in which we decide to measure the spin of the other particle. The mathematical reason for the impossibility is analyzed.