The Metaphysics of Quantum Theory (Clarendon Paperbacks) - Softcover

Krips, Henry

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0198242808 ISBN 13: 9780198242802

Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA, 1990

Synopsis

The interplay between non-relativistic quantum theory and metaphysics has generated radically opposed interpretations for quantum theory" Niels Bohr's "orthodox" interpretation, and Einstein's "realist" approach. This debate in turn fostered the classical first-generation paradoxes of quantum theory" Schrödinger's Cat and the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen paradoxes. More recently, a range of new paradoxes has emerged from the work of J.S. Bell. This book outlines the contours of these debates and presents an interpretation of quantum theory which, while metaphysically realist, resolves most of the paradoxes.

About this title

Review

`The writing is admirably clear and Krips goes to great pains to explain the formal devices he uses ... a careful reading should be able to bring the relatively uninitiated right up to the cutting edge of research in philosophy of quantum physics.' International Journal of Philosophy

`A highly sophisticated and very competent work.' British Journal for the Philosophy of Science

Synopsis

The interplay between non-relativistic quantum theory and metaphysics has generated radically opposed interpretations for quantum theory: Niels Bohr's orthodox interpretation, and Einstein's realist one. Out of this debate emerged the classical first-generation paradoxes of quantum theory: Schroedinger's Cat and the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen paradoxes. More recently a range of new paradoxes has emerged from the work of J.S.Bell which questions the local nature of quantum theory, prefiguring a return either to an action-at-a-distance metaphysics or to a radically holistic conception of matter. This book outlines the contours of these debates, and presents an interpretation of quantum theory which, while metaphysically realist, resolves most of these paradoxes. It aims to make these issues of interest not only to the specialist philosopher and physicist but also to readers who are interested in philosophical issues but who do not have a background in physics. A set of technical appendices provides a graduated series of proofs which introduce the quantum theory of continuous-valued quantities.

Edition details

• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
• Publication date: 1990
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0198242808
• ISBN 13: 9780198242802
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 268