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Philosophical Issues in Quantum Physics and Metaphysical Implications

Philosophical Issues in Quantum Physics and Metaphysical Implications. Readings. Barbour, I.G, Religion and Science (1997) Whitaker, A, Einstein, Bohr and the Quantum Dilemma (1996) Online Readings. Papers for Discussion.

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Philosophical Issues in Quantum Physics and Metaphysical Implications

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  1. Philosophical Issues in Quantum Physics and Metaphysical Implications

  2. Readings • Barbour, I.G, Religion and Science (1997) • Whitaker, A, Einstein, Bohr and the Quantum Dilemma (1996) • Online Readings

  3. Papers for Discussion • Is there a moon when nobody look? Reality and the Quantum Theory by David Mermin • Is scientific realism compatible with quantum physics by Arthur Fine • Critical Realism in Science and Religion (Reading from Belief in God in an Age of Science by John Polkinghorne) • Quantum Complementarity and Christological Dialectic by Christopher Kaiser

  4. Recap: The Strange Quantum World • Wave Particle Duality • How to describe systems? • Wave Function describes the state of a system in a probabilistic sense • Systems exist a superposition of states • Observation collapses to a particular state

  5. Recap : Two Views • Complementarity (Critical Realism?) • Must consider interaction between subject and object in an experiment • Conceptual limitation of understanding • Realism • Theories are description of nature in itself • Hidden Variables to explain away apparent indeterminacy?

  6. Points to Ponder • Does Complementarity imply instrumentalism? • Complementarity a good paradigm for science and religion? • Indeterminacy – temporary ignorance? – measurement or conceptual issue? – inherent to nature? • Parts and Wholes – A new paradigm for understanding the world?

  7. Determinism • State (of an object or event) is determinedby prior states • Laplace’s Clockwork Universe • Classical Physics • Cause and Effect • First Cause Argument? • Chaos?

  8. Indeterminacy • Temporary human ignorance • Inherent experimental or conceptual limitations • Indeterminacy in nature

  9. Realism • Observations in science related to a real existing world independent of observations • Scientific theories are attempts to gain information about reality • Classical Physics

  10. Positivism • Observed Phenomena are all that require scientific analysis • Discussion of underlying mechanisms or ‘real entities’ meaningless • Self Defeating, Quine and Kuhn’s Objections

  11. Instrumentalism • Scientific Theories tools to calculate experimental Results • Non Observable theoretical constructs useful but disposable • Shift away discourse from the realism debate

  12. Reductionism • Complex system is nothing but the sum of its parts • Again a clockwork universe • Greedy Reductionism (Dennet) • Emergent Phenomena • Holism

  13. Holism • The tendency in nature to form wholes that are greater than the sum of the parts • Complex Systems • Copenhagen Interpretation

  14. Bohr’s Copenhagen Interpretation • Complementarity • Indeterminacy • Critical Realism • Holism

  15. Complementarity • Wave Particle Duality • Complimentary’ properties and uncertainty • Mutual Exclusiveness • One quantity being measured precludes measurement of the other • Joint Completion • The two quantities jointly provide a complete description of the motion

  16. Complementarity • e.g. x & p OR sx & sy (or sz) • Must discuss the value of observable in terms of the experimental setup

  17. Disturbance Interpretation

  18. The Heisenberg Cut • Boundary between observer and observed • Ambiguity; does it mean the end of disturbance interpretation • Observer and observed handled as a whole

  19. Wholeness • Observed object and measuring apparatus are inextricably linked • Rebirth of Aristotle? • Eastern Mysticism?

  20. Problems with Copenhagen • An absolute wave function representing the world is rejected by Bohr • System (quantum), Observing devices (classical) • Heisenberg Cut

  21. Complementarity in other Fields • Mechanical and Vitalistic points of view of Biology • Free Will and Determinism in Psychology

  22. Wave Function Collapse • Projection postulate • What causes the wave function to collapse at the time of observation? • Epistemic Interpretation • Wigner and Consciousness

  23. The Realist View • The theory as it stands is incomplete • Hidden Variables? • EPR paradox as an example • Bohr’s response

  24. Metaphysical Implications • Is it all in the Mind? • Free will and Determinism • God’s action in the world • Eastern Mysticism

  25. Biological Life • Exact predictions for large ensembles • But micro events can have macro consequences • Firing of neurons • Genetic Mutations

  26. Human Freedom • Quantum Indeterminacy = Possibility of human freedom? • Dualistic view needed?

  27. God’s Action in the World • Does God control how events unfold using indeterminacy? • Collapse of the wave function

  28. Eastern Mysticism • Complementarity and Yin/Yang • Holistic Picture and Pantheism • A Process point of view

  29. Next Time………. • Summary and wrap up • 15 min presentations • Quiz in class

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