Synopses & Reviews
This volume introduces the basic philosophical and conceptual questions underlying the formulation of quantum mechanics, one of the most baffling and far-reaching aspects of modern physics. Chapters by leading thinkers in this field, inspired by the profound work of the late John Bell, debate some of the deepest issues concerning the nature of physical reality, including the theory of physical measurements, how to test quantum mechanics, and how classical and quantum physics are related. This book will engage students with a background in quantum physics who wish to explore in more detail its philosophical aspects; practicing scientists not content with blindly applying the rules of quantum mechanics; and other readers interested in gaining a deeper understanding of the philosophy of physics.
Review
"The editors have managed to put together a book honouring John Bell written by people who are not only world-class physicists themselves, but who are all people one would refer to as Menschen--people of great humanity. This makes the book an especially fitting tribute." Nature
Table of Contents
Foreword D. Amati and J. Ellis; Biographical notes on John S. Bell M. Bell; 1. On Bell Non-locality without probabilities: some curious geometry R. Penrose; 2. Reality in neutron interference experimants H. Rauch; 3. Testing Bell's inequalities A. Aspect; 4. Beyond conventional quantum mechanics G. Ghirardi; 5. Quantum effects in accelerator physics J. M. Leinaas; 6. New Aspects of Bell's theorem A. Shimony; 7. Does quantum mechanics carry the seeds of its own destruction? K. Gottfried; 8. John Bell and the moral aspect of quantum mechanics K. Gottfried and N. D. Mermin; 9. Remembering John Bell R. Jackiw.