Who’s Afraid of Quantum Causation? Causal Explanations and Bell Phenomena
Reinoud Pino

Abstract:
Causal theories of scientific explanation contend that science explains phenomena by giving their causes, or at least that it should. Yet, in quantum mechanics there are phenomena that are not readily framed causally, such as Bell phenomena. There is both a multitude of causal theories of scientific explanation (interventionism, conserved quantities theory of causation(CQTC)) and interpretations of quantum mechanics (Copenhagen, Transactional, Pilot Wave, Many Worlds). After considering Bell phenomena as described in the Copenhagen interpretation from the perspective of both Interventionism and CQTC, it is argued that neither theory considers said description an explanation, but it is also argued that CQTC is most likely to fit with other interpretations. After considering the Transactional Interpretation, Pilot Wave Mechanics and the Many Worlds Interpretation, I argue that the descriptions offered by both the Transactional and Many Worlds Interpretations are qualified as explanations by CQTC.