... it is an important collection of new thinking regarding the quantum mechanics dilemma. This text is therefore a must-have for any library serving a university offering serious physics and philosophy programs.

A. Spero, CHOICE

...thought-provoking collection...

Jonathan Bain, Metascience

Quantum theory is widely regarded as one of the most successful theories in the history of science. It explains a hugely diverse array of phenomena and is a natural candidate for our best representation of the world at the level of 'fundamental' physics. But how can the world be the way quantum theory says it is? It is famously unclear what the world is like according to quantum physics, which presents a serious problem for the scientific realist who is committed to regarding our best theories as more or less true. The present volume canvasses a variety of responses to this problem, from restricting or revising realism in different ways to exploring entirely new directions in the lively debate surrounding realist interpretations of quantum physics. Some urge us to focus on new formulations of the theory itself, while others examine the status of scientific realism in the further context of quantum field theory. Each chapter is written by a renowned specialist in the field and is aimed at graduate students and researchers in both physics and the philosophy of science. Together they offer a range of illuminating new perspectives on this fundamental debate and exemplify the fruitful interaction between physics and philosophy.
Les mer
Quantum theory explains a hugely diverse array of phenomena in the history of science. But how can the world be the way quantum theory says it is? Fifteen expert scholars consider what the world is like according to quantum physics in this volume and offer illuminating new perspectives on fundamental debates that span physics and philosophy.
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1: Steven French and Juha Saatsi: Introduction Part I: Rethinking Scientific Realism 2: Carl Hoefer: Scientific Realism Without the Quantum 3: Juha Saatsi: Truth vs. Progress Realism about Spin Part II: Underdetermination and Interpretation 4: Craig Callender: Can We Quarantine the Quantum Blight? 5: David Wallace: On the Plurality of Quantum Theories: Quantum theory as a framework and its implications for the quantum measurement problem 6: J. E. Wolff: Naturalism and the Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics Part III: Pragmatism about Quantum Theory 7: Richard Healey: Pragmatist Quantum Realism 8: Lina Jansson: Can Pragmatism About Quantum Theory Handle Objectivity About Explanations? 9: Peter J. Lewis: Quantum Mechanics and its (Dis)Contents Part IV: Wavefunction and Quantum State Realism 10: Alisa Bokulich: Losing Sight of the Forest for the Psi: Beyond the Wavefunction Hegemony 11: Valia Allori: Scientific Realism without the Wave Function 12: Wayne C. Myrvold: On the Status of Quantum State Realism Part V: Scientific Realism and Quantum Field Theory 13: Doreen Fraser: The Non-Miraculous Success of Formal Analogies in Quantum Theories 14: James D. Fraser: Towards a Realist View of Quantum Field Theory 15: Laura Ruetsche: Perturbing Realism
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Internationally renowned experts examine our knowledge of quantum reality Addresses fundamental questions that lie at the heart of modern physics Presents a variety of perspectives at the interface between physics and philosophy Written to be accessible to students in both physics and philosophy Represents the very best of what current philosophical reflection on quantum physics has to offer
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Steven French gained his PhD at the University of London under the supervision of Michael Redhead. After working in Brazil and the USA he moved to Leeds in 1993, where he is Professor of Philosophy of Science. He has published numerous articles and books in the philosophy of physics and the philosophy of science more generally, covering issues from the metaphysics of quantum theory to scientific modelling and structural realism. He is Co-Editor-in-Chief of The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science. Juha Saatsi is Associate Professor of Philosophy at University of Leeds. He works on various topics in philosophy of science, and he has particular interests in the philosophy explanation and the scientific realism debate. He is co-editor of The Bloomsbury Companion to the Philosophy of Science (2014), The Structural Foundations of Quantum Gravity (Oxford 2006), and Explanation Beyond Causation (Oxford 2018).
Les mer
Internationally renowned experts examine our knowledge of quantum reality Addresses fundamental questions that lie at the heart of modern physics Presents a variety of perspectives at the interface between physics and philosophy Written to be accessible to students in both physics and philosophy Represents the very best of what current philosophical reflection on quantum physics has to offer
Les mer

Produktdetaljer

ISBN
9780198814979
Publisert
2020
Utgiver
Vendor
Oxford University Press
Vekt
636 gr
Høyde
241 mm
Bredde
160 mm
Dybde
20 mm
Aldersnivå
UP, 05
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Innbundet
Antall sider
336

Biographical note

Steven French gained his PhD at the University of London under the supervision of Michael Redhead. After working in Brazil and the USA he moved to Leeds in 1993, where he is Professor of Philosophy of Science. He has published numerous articles and books in the philosophy of physics and the philosophy of science more generally, covering issues from the metaphysics of quantum theory to scientific modelling and structural realism. He is Co-Editor-in-Chief of The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science. Juha Saatsi is Associate Professor of Philosophy at University of Leeds. He works on various topics in philosophy of science, and he has particular interests in the philosophy explanation and the scientific realism debate. He is co-editor of The Bloomsbury Companion to the Philosophy of Science (2014), The Structural Foundations of Quantum Gravity (Oxford 2006), and Explanation Beyond Causation (Oxford 2018).