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Epistemology and Probability

Bohr, Heisenberg, Schrödinger, and the Nature of Quantum-Theoretical Thinking

  • Book
  • © 2010

Overview

Authors:
  1. Arkady Plotnitsky

    1. Theory & Cultural Studies Program, Purdue University, West Lafayette, U.S.A.

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  • Offers a joint and mutually illuminating discussion of Bohr, Heisenberg, and Schrödinger, as creators of quantum mechanics (including an interpretation as complementarity), which is unprecedented - at least at this level of comprehensiveness
  • Offers an exploration of the relationships between epistemology and probability and their relationships, especially in the Bayesian context
  • Gives a new treatment of the EPR experiment, and the Bohr-Einstein exchange concerning it
  • Offers a new understanding of the role of mathematics in quantum theory
  • Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Part of the book series: Fundamental Theories of Physics (FTPH, volume 161)

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Table of contents (11 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xxxiii
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  2. Introduction—Epistemology and Probability in Quantum Theory: Physics, Mathematics, and Philosophy

    • Arkady Plotnitsky
    Pages 1-44

  3. Quantum Phenomena and the Double-Slit Experiment

    • Arkady Plotnitsky
    Pages 45-75

  4. Heisenberg’s Revolutions: New Kinematics, New Mathematics, and New Philosophy

    • Arkady Plotnitsky
    Pages 77-113

  5. From Geometry to Algebra in Physics, with Heisenberg

    • Arkady Plotnitsky
    Pages 115-136

  6. Schrödinger’s Waves: Propagation and Probability

    • Arkady Plotnitsky
    Pages 137-177

  7. Bohr’s Como Argument: Complementarity and the Problem of Causality

    • Arkady Plotnitsky
    Pages 179-217

  8. From Como to Copenhagen: Renunciations

    • Arkady Plotnitsky
    Pages 219-235

  9. Can Quantum-Mechanical Description of Physical Reality Be Considered both Complete and Local?

    • Arkady Plotnitsky
    Pages 237-277

  10. Essential Ambiguity and Essential Influence: Reading Bohr’s Reply to EPR

    • Arkady Plotnitsky
    Pages 279-311

  11. Mysteries Without Mysticism, Correlations Without Correlata, Epistemology Without Ontology, and Probability Without Causality

    • Arkady Plotnitsky
    Pages 313-352

  12. 11 Conclusion: “The Mere Touch of Cold Philosophy”

    • Arkady Plotnitsky
    Pages 353-367

  13. Back Matter

    Pages 369-402
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Keywords

About this book

This book offers an exploration of the relationships between epistemology and probability in the work of Niels Bohr, Werner Heisenberg, and Erwin Schro- ¨ dinger, and 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 human thinking and knowledge in general, or the ‘‘epistemological lesson of quantum mechanics,’’ as Bohr liked 1 to say. 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, such as Schro¨ dinger and, most prominently, Albert Einstein. Einstein famously refused to believe that God would resort to playing dice or rather to playing with nature in the way quantum mechanics appeared to suggest, which is indeed quite different from playing dice. According to his later (sometime around 1953) remark, a lesser known or commented upon but arguably more important one: ‘‘That the Lord should play [dice], all right; but that He should gamble according to definite rules [i. e. , according to the rules of quantum mechanics, rather than 2 by merely throwing dice], that is beyond me. ’’ Although Einstein’s invocation of God is taken literally sometimes, he was not talking about God but about the way nature works. Bohr’s reply on an earlier occasion to Einstein’s question 1 Cf.

Reviews

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)

Authors and Affiliations

  • Theory & Cultural Studies Program, Purdue University, West Lafayette, U.S.A.

    Arkady Plotnitsky

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