Quantum metaphysics
Author(s)
Bibliographic Information
Quantum metaphysics
B. Blackwell, 1988
Available at / 9 libraries
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Hokkaido University, Library, Graduate School of Science, Faculty of Science and School of Science図書
DC19:530.1/F772070110468
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Note
Bibliography: p. [215]-220
Includes index
Description and Table of Contents
Description
The book comprises an enquiry into what quantum theory shows us about the world. Its aim is to sort out which metaphysical speculations are tenable and which are not. After an initial discussion of realism, the author provides a non-technical exposition of quantum theory and a criticism of the proposal that quantum theory should make us revise our beliefs about logic. He then discusses the various problems and puzzles which make quantum theory both interesting and perplexing. The text defends three markedly different speculations. The first of them, the "determinate particle speculation", is shown to involve both a view which proposes determinate locations and velocities for particles and the opposite. With the "wave speculation" particles are seen as different again: here the professor proposes a radically original view of particles as polywaves. In the final chapter, he compares the competing particle theories and shows that two ostensibly opposing views are in fact compatible. He goes on to discuss the implications of quantum theory for our understanding of persons.
The work assumes no prior knowledge of quantum theory and confines the necessary mathematical details to end-notes.
Table of Contents
- Preface
- Introduction
- 1. Realism
- 2. An Outline of Quantum Theory
- 3. Puzzles and Problems
- 4. The Copenhagen School of Metaphysics
- 5. The Determinate Particle Speculation
- 6. Waves
- 7. Indeterminate Particles
- 8. Final Speculations
- Endnotes
- Works Cited.
by "Nielsen BookData"