Quantum Philosophy: Understanding and Interpreting Contemporary Science

Abstract

The title of this book brings to mind topics such as the Copenhagen Interpretation, Shrödinger's Cat, the EPR Paradox and Bell's Theorem. Certainly all of these are there, but there is much more. Starting with the Logic of Plato and Aristotle, the reader is guided through the Classical Philosophy of Knowledge. This is unfamiliar territory for most physicists; in fact I found the first four chapters (of a total of 16) quite difficult for someone untrained in philosophical discipline. Then comes a discussion of the formal logic of Mathematics - much more familiar ground this, to be enjoyed and savoured. Quite fascinating and original is the 'Orchard Analogy' in which the author invites us to imagine the Universe as a vast field sprinkled with countless trees representing all conceivable propositions. Some of these trees, the axioms, are the source of the water of Truth. The rules of logic determine a network of channels to carry water from tree to tree. This Truth will flow from the source (the axioms) to irrigate progressively the whole propositional field. Formal Physics enters at chapter 7, with a discussion of the concepts of Special and General Relativity and Quantum Theory. The Schrödinger Cat makes its appearance and is analysed in full in terms of Decoherence, which destroys quantum interference at macroscopic level. Again there are moments of light relief: I liked the classical example of non-commuting operators - the result is different when you boil potatoes and then crush, compared to crushing first and then boiling! Next comes our change of attitude towards `Physical Reality' in the context of Quantum Mechanics. The author argues that the counter-intuitive concepts of 'Quantum Reality' and the correlation of measurements of widely separated quantum systems are a fact of Nature, puzzling to 'common sense', but not at variance with logic. The final two chapters offer `some trails towards a Wide or Grand Realism' and a new Philosophy of Knowledge. Intelligibility and locality become `properties' valid at macroscopic level - the level of our senses. In summary I found that this book has broadened my awareness of some very deep philosophical concepts, and has given a new insight into topics such as Knowledge, Reality and Logic. I recommend it to all `natural philosophers' as a source of enjoyment and food for thought.