Classical Explanations in (and of) General Probabilistic Theories
Abstract
We introduce a notion of the ``explanation" of one (generalized) probabilistic model by another as particular kind of span in the category $\Prob$ of probabilistic models and morphisms. We show that explanations compose under a standard pullback construction (notwithstanding that $\Prob$ does not support arbitrary pullbacks). We then show that every locally-finite probabilistic model has a canonical, sharp classical explanation. The construction is functorial, so every locally-finite probabilistic theory has a canonical, sharp classical (though of course, usually non-local) representation.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Quantum Mechanics and Applications
Bayesian Modeling and Causal Inference
Advanced Algebra and Logic
Publication details
- Journal / source
- arXiv (Cornell University)
- Publication date
- 5 March 2026
- Language
- EN
- Document type
- Preprint