Contextuality in Random Variables : A Systematic Introduction

The mathematical essence of contextuality lies in the similarity of random variables answering the same question in different contexts: contextuality means they are less similar when considered within their respective contexts than when isolated from them.This book presents a principled way of measuring this similarity and distinguishing two forms of context-dependence: contextuality and disturbance.While applicable across a broad range of disciplines, the concept of contextuality in this book is closest to that in quantum physics, where its special forms –in the absence of disturbance – are known as Bell nonlocality and Kochen–Specker contextuality.This systematic introduction requires no prior familiarity with the subject and a very modest mathematical background.Structured as a textbook, complete with exercises and solutions, it is accessible to a broad readership and suitable for teaching.It will be useful to researchers and students in quantum mechanics, philosophy of science, psychology, computer science, linguistics, and probability theory.