Speaker: Miklós Rédei (LSE) Date: Mon., June 15 Location: Ludwigstr. 31, ground floor, room 021 Time: 18:15 - 19:45 Title: Quantum probability theory Abstract: The seminar presents quantum theory as non-commutative probability theory, and the theory of von Neumann algebras as the non-commutative measure theory that serves as the general framework for quantum probability theory -- very much like classical measure theory is the framework for classical probability theory. The main results of the Murray-von Neumann classification theory of types of von Neumann algebras is recalled and the different types of von Neumann algebras are portrayed as yielding all the types of quantum probability spaces that are needed to model quantum systems. After pointing out the structural similarities of classical and quantum probability theory it is shown that a straightforward frequency interpretation of quantum probability theory is not possible. The seminar states the so-called "Kolmogorovian Censorship Hypothesis", which attempts to secure a frequency interpretation of quantum probability by interpreting quantum probabilities as classical conditional probabilities. The unattractive features of the Kolmogorovian Censorship Hypothesis are analyzed. The seminar is based on : M. Redei: "Kolmogorovian Censorship Hypothesis for general quantum probability theories" Manuscrito – Revista Internacional de Filosofia 33 (2010) 365-380