A full comprehension of the fuzzy boundary between the classical and the quantum world is still lacking. A deeper understanding of the problem can be obtained form the study of the so-called "Schrödinger cat states", i.e. the paradoxical states arising when the superposition principle of quantum mechanics is extended to the macroscopic world. Quantum optics is, up to now, the most studied field for the experimental realization of these states. A survey of all the proposals made for generating and detecting linear superpositions of classically distinguishable states in quantum optical systems is presented. Then, one of the most recent proposals [P. Tombesi and D. Vitali, Phys. Rev. Lett.77, 411 (1996)] is presented in detail and its experimental feasibility discussed.