Quantum theory : a philosopher's overview

Explores what can be known within quantum theory, with special emphasis on the difference between prediction and explanation. In straightforward and nontechnical language, a philosopher of science goes to the very heart of what is still the central subject in modern physics, namely, quantum theory,...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author Cannavo, Salvator
Format eBook Book
LanguageEnglish
Published Albany State University of New York Press 2009
SUNY Press
Edition1
Subjects
PHILOSOPHY
PHILOSOPHY / General
Philosophy : Philosophy
Philosophy : Philosophy of Science
Quantum theory
Quantum theory > Philosophy
Science, Mathematics, and Technology : Science and Technology
Online AccessGet full text
ISBN9780791493472
0791493474
9780791493649
0791493644
DOI10.1515/9780791493649

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Table of Contents:
  • A Deeper Incorporation -- Conclusion -- Notes -- Bibliography -- Index -- A -- B -- C -- D -- E -- F -- G -- H -- I -- J -- K -- L -- M -- N -- O -- P -- Q -- R -- S -- T -- U -- V -- W -- Z
  • Intro -- Quantum Theory -- Contents -- Preface -- 1. The Quantum and Classical Theories: A Crucial Difference of Theory-Type -- Quantum Theory -- Classical Theory -- The "Unfi nished" Quantum Theory -- 2. Quantum Puzzles: A Clash with the Traditional Realism of Natural Science -- The Core Formalism -- The Hypostatization of the Core Formalism -- The Nondeterministic Part of the Quantum Formalism -- Wave-Particle Duality in Quantum Experiments -- Superposition -- The Measurement Problem -- The Projection Postulate: Wave Collapse -- 3. More Quantum Puzzles -- Quantum Uncertainty -- Virtual Pair Production -- Phase Entanglement -- Quantum-Theoretic Description and Completeness -- Bell's Inequality: The Unyielding Challenge to Traditional Scientific Realism -- 4. Interpretation -- The Problem of Interpretation: Old and Persistent -- Objective Realism in Physical Science -- Hidden Variable Interpretations: Highly Problematic -- Copenhagenism: No Less Problematic -- 5. Fresh Starts -- The Many Worlds Interpretation: New and Old Problems -- The Many Minds Interpretation: More Problems -- Decoherence Theory: Somewhat Promising -- GRW Theory -- Positivism -- Interpretation in a Fuller Sense: Ontic Interpretation -- 6. Explanatory and Algorithmic Nomologicals: Of Which Kind is Quantum Theory? -- Nomological Types -- Scientifi c Explanation -- Causation and Explanation -- Quantum Theory -- Born Algorithmic -- Settling for Prediction -- Dirac Transformation Theory -- Symmetry in Scientifi c Theorizing -- Abstract Symmetrizing -- 7. A Modest Proposal -- Interpretation: A Failed Program -- Away from Interpretation -- Hidden Variables Are OK -- No End to Science -- 8. Quantumization: The Quantum Supplementation of Explanatory Theory -- The Quantum-Theoretic Context -- Quantum Electrodynamics -- Quantum Field Theory -- String Theory -- 9. Beyond Quantumization
  • Contents --
  • Preface --
  • Index
  • Front Matter --
  • Fresh Starts --
  • Quantumization --
  • The Quantum and Classical Theories --
  • Quantum Puzzles --
  • A Modest Proposal --
  • More Quantum Puzzles --
  • Explanatory and Algorithmic Nomologicals --
  • Interpretation --
  • Notes --
  • Beyond Quantumization --
  • Bibliography --