Among the great ironies of quantum mechanics is not only that
its conceptual foundations seem strange even to the physicists who
use it, but that philosophers have largely ignored it. Here,
Bernard d'Espagnat argues that quantum physics--by casting doubts
on once hallowed concepts such as space, material objects, and
causality-demands serious reconsideration of most of traditional
philosophy.
"On Physics and Philosophy" is an accessible, mathematics-free
reflection on the philosophical meaning of the quantum revolution,
by one of the world's leading authorities on the subject.
D'Espagnat presents an objective account of the main guiding
principles of contemporary physics-in particular, quantum
mechanics-followed by a look at just what consequences these should
imply for philosophical thinking.
The author begins by describing recent discoveries in quantum
physics such as nonseparability, and explicating the significance
of contemporary developments such as decoherence. Then he proceeds
to set various philosophical theories of knowledge--such as
materialism, realism, Kantism, and neo-Kantism--against the
conceptual problems quantum theory raises. His overall conclusion
is that while the physical implications of quantum theory suggest
that scientific knowledge will never truly describe
mind-independent reality, the notion of such an ultimate
reality--one we can never access directly or rationally and which
he calls "veiled reality"--remains conceptually necessary
nonetheless.
General
Imprint: |
Princeton University Press
|
Country of origin: |
United States |
Release date: |
April 2013 |
First published: |
April 2013 |
Authors: |
Bernard D'Espagnat
|
Dimensions: |
235 x 152 x 35mm (L x W x T) |
Format: |
Paperback - Trade
|
Pages: |
520 |
ISBN-13: |
978-0-691-15806-8 |
Categories: |
Books >
Science & Mathematics >
Physics >
General
|
LSN: |
0-691-15806-1 |
Barcode: |
9780691158068 |
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