Synopses & Reviews
The book offers an exploration of the relationships between epistemology and probability in the work of Niels Bohr, Werner Heisenberg, and Erwin Schrödinger; in quantum mechanics; and in modern physics as a whole. It also considers the implications of these relationships and of quantum theory itself for our understanding of the nature of thinking and knowledge in general. These implications are radical and controversial. While they have been seen as scientifically productive and intellectually liberating to some, Bohr and Heisenberg among them, they have been troublesome to many others, beginning with Schrödinger and, most famously, Einstein, who refused to believe that God would resort to playing dice, as quantum theory appeared to demand. The situation led to an intense debate, in particular the great confrontation between Einstein and Bohr, which began around the time of the discovery of quantum mechanics by Heisenberg and Schrödinger in 1920s and has overshadowed the history of the debate concerning quantum mechanics ever since. The controversy itself surrounding quantum theory and the intensity of the debate concerning it have remained undiminished. No end appears to be in sight. At the same time, in spite of the enormous and ever proliferating amount of commentaries in all genres (technical, philosophical, and popular), some of the deeper philosophical aspects of quantum mechanics and of the philosophical thought of the figures considered in this study often remain explored. The main aim of this book is to contribute to a better understanding of the nature of quantum-theoretical thinking and of the reasons for this extraordinary impact and controversy. Philosophically, the book pursues this task by bringing together in a new way the relationships between epistemology and probability in quantum theory and beyond. Historically, it does so by engaging comprehensively and in a mutually illuminating way with the work of all three key figures responsible for the birth of quantum mechanics - Heisenberg, Schrödinger, and, as concerns quantum epistemology, Bohr - which has not be previously done in literature on quantum mechanics. Among other key contributions of the book is an analysis of the role of mathematics in quantum theory and in the thinking of Bohr, Heisenberg, and Schrödinger; a new treatment of the famous experiment of Einstein, Podolsky, and Rosen (EPR) and of the Bohr-Einstein exchange concerning it; and an exploration of the implications of the epistemological problematics considered by the book for new developments of quantum mechanics itself, such as quantum information theory, on the one hand, and, on the other, for higher-level physical theories, from quantum field theory to string/brane theories and new cosmological theories.
Review
From the reviews: "Plotnitsky (theory and cultural studies, Purdue Univ.) analyzes the discussions and disagreements among the principals (mentioned in the title), and offers his insightful comments on the questions. ... The discussions on probability and epistemology remind readers of 18th-century debates on the topic in which d'Alembert participated. This book should interest anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the epistemology of quantum mechanics, especially the issues thrashed out in the early phases. ... Summing Up: Highly recommended. Academic libraries serving graduate students, researchers, and faculty." (V. V. Raman, Choice, Vol. 47 (10), June, 2010) "This is an exposition of what the author calls 'non-classical epistemology' in close relationship with the emergence and development of quantum mechanics. ... Plotnitsky unfolds a nuanced presentation of the so-called 'Copenhagen spirit' or, more precisely, of the ideas of his central hero, Niels Bohr, taken to their logical conclusion. ... Plotnitsky's narrative makes fascinating reading, and not only for those who are sympathetic to his views. ... the book represents a challenge and motivation for the opponents of such views, particularly scientific realists." (Vassilis Sakellariou, Metascience, Vol. 21, 2012)
Synopsis
This text explores the relationships between epistemology and probability in quantum mechanics, in physics as a whole, and in the works of Bohr, Heisenberg, and Schrodinger. It then considers the radical, controversial implications of these relationships.
Synopsis
Quantum mechanics, discovered by Werner Heisenberg and Erwin Schrödinger in 1925-1926, is famous for its radical implications for our conception of physics and for our view of human knowledge in general. While these implications have been seen as scientifically productive and intellectually liberating to some, Niels Bohr and Heisenberg, among them, they have been troublesome to many others, including Schrödinger and, most famously, Albert Einstein. The situation led to the intense debate that started in the wake of its discovery and has continued into our own time, with no end appearing to be in sight. Epistemology and Probability aims to contribute to our understanding of quantum mechanics and of the reasons for its extraordinary impact by reconsidering, under the rubric of "nonclassical epistemology," the nature of epistemology and probability, and their relationships in quantum theory. The book brings together the thought of the three figures most responsible for the rise of quantum mechanics--Heisenberg and Schrödinger, on the physical side, and Bohr, on the philosophical side--in order to develop a deeper sense of the physical, mathematical, and philosophical workings of quantum-theoretical thinking. Reciprocally, giving a special emphasis on probability and specifically to the Bayesian concept of probability allows the book to gain new insights into the thought of these figures. The book reconsiders, from this perspective, the Bohr-Einstein debate on the epistemology of quantum physics and, in particular, offers a new treatment of the famous experiment of Einstein, Podolsky, and Rosen (EPR), and of the Bohr-Einstein exchange concerning the subject. It also addresses the relevant aspects of quantum information theory and considers the implications of its epistemological argument for higher-level quantum theories, such as quantum field theory and string and brane theories. One of the main contributions of the book is its analysis of the role of mathematics in quantum theory and in the thinking of Bohr, Heisenberg, and Schrödinger, in particular an examination of the new (vis-
Table of Contents
Preface.- Introduction: Epistemology and Probability in Quantum Theory: Physics, Mathematics, and Philosophy.- Quantum Phenomena and the Double-Slit Experiment.- Heisenberg's Revolutions: New Kinematics, New Mathematics, and New Philosophy.- From Geometry to Algebra in Physics, with Heisenberg.- Schrödinger's waves: Propagation and Probability.- Bohr's Como Argument: Complementarity and the Problem of Causality.- From Como to Copenhagen: Renunciations.- Can Quantum-Mechanical Description of Physical Reality Be Considered Both Complete and Local?.- Essential Ambiguity and Essential Influence: Reading Bohr's Reply to EPR.- Mysteries without Mysticism, Correlations without Correlata, Epistemology without Ontology, and Probability without Causality.- Conclusion: "The Mere Touch of Cold Philosophy".