Prof. Zafer Gedik Discussed “Hidden Variables” in Quantum Mechanics

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences held its 2025–2026 Spring Semestre Opening Lecture on Thursday, February 26, with the participation of faculty members and students. The lecture, titled “John Bell’s Secret Treasure: Hidden Variables in Quantum Mechanics,” was delivered by Prof. Zafer Gedik from the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences at Sabancı University.

In her opening remarks, the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences Prof. Neslihan Yetkiner highlighted that opening lectures represent more than the start of a new semester; they create a space for curiosity, critical thinking, and interdisciplinary dialogue.

Prof. Yetkiner further noted: “Faculties of Arts and Sciences have the mission of building bridges between the natural sciences and the humanities. A field such as quantum mechanics exemplifies this mission in a powerful way by bringing together mathematical precision and ontological uncertainty. The opening lecture of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences provides the ideal platform for such a discussion. Here, physics is approached not only through mathematical formulas, but also in dialogue with philosophy, logic, and the history of science. The question of ‘hidden variables’ reminds us that science is not only about producing answers, but also about cultivating the art of asking meaningful questions.”

The lecture then moved to the guest speaker, Prof. Zafer Gedik, who explored quantum mechanics through the intellectual legacy of John Stewart Bell, one of the most influential theoretical physicists of the twentieth century. Prof. Gedik addressed Bell’s question of “hidden variables,” asking whether the strange behavior of tiny particles is truly random or shaped by unseen factors, and highlighted how this debate reshaped our understanding of reality.

After an engaging Q&A session, the program concluded with a gift presentation by  our Dean Prof. Neslihan Yetkiner, who thanked Prof. Zafer Gedik for his insightful lecture.