Quantum theory : a philosopher's overview / Salvator Cannavo.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Cannavo, S. (Salvator)

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Quantum theory--Philosophy.

Quantum theory.

Statistical physics.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (190 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Albany, NY : SUNY Press, c2009.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Explores what can be known within quantum theory, with special emphasis on the difference between prediction and explanation.

Contents:

""Quantum Theory""; ""Contents""; ""Preface""; ""1. The Quantum and Classical Theories: A Crucial Difference of Theory-Type""; ""Quantum Theory""; ""Classical Theory""; ""The “Unfi nished� Quantum Theory""; ""2. Quantum Puzzles: A Clash with the Traditional Realism of Natural Science""; ""The Core Formalism""; ""The Hypostatization of the Core Formalism""; ""The Nondeterministic Part of the Quantum Formalism""; ""Wave-Particle Duality in Quantum Experiments""; ""Superposition""; ""The Measurement Problem""; ""The Projection Postulate: Wave Collapse""; ""3. More Quantum Puzzles""

""Quantum Uncertainty""""Virtual Pair Production""; ""Phase Entanglement""; ""Quantum-Theoretic Description and Completeness""; ""Bell�s Inequality: The Unyielding Challenge to Traditional Scientific Realism""; ""4. Interpretation""; ""The Problem of Interpretation: Old and Persistent""; ""Objective Realism in Physical Science""; ""Hidden Variable Interpretations: Highly Problematic""; ""Copenhagenism: No Less Problematic""; ""5. Fresh Starts""; ""The Many Worlds Interpretation: New and Old Problems""; ""The Many Minds Interpretation: More Problems""

""Decoherence Theory: Somewhat Promising""""GRW Theory""; ""Positivism""; ""Interpretation in a Fuller Sense: Ontic Interpretation""; ""6. Explanatory and Algorithmic Nomologicals: Of Which Kind is Quantum Theory?""; ""Nomological Types""; ""Scientifi c Explanation""; ""Causation and Explanation""; ""Quantum Theory; Born Algorithmic""; ""Settling for Prediction""; ""Dirac Transformation Theory""; ""Symmetry in Scientifi c Theorizing""; ""Abstract Symmetrizing""; ""7. A Modest Proposal""; ""Interpretation: A Failed Program""; ""Away from Interpretation""; ""Hidden Variables Are OK""

""No End to Science""""8. Quantumization: The Quantum Supplementation of Explanatory Theory""; ""The Quantum-Theoretic Context""; ""Quantum Electrodynamics""; ""Quantum Field Theory""; ""String Theory""; ""9. Beyond Quantumization""; ""A Deeper Incorporation""; ""Conclusion""; ""Notes""; ""Bibliography""; ""Index""; ""A""; ""B""; ""C""; ""D""; ""E""; ""F""; ""G""; ""H""; ""I""; ""J""; ""K""; ""L""; ""M""; ""N""; ""O""; ""P""; ""Q""; ""R""; ""S""; ""T""; ""U""; ""V""; ""W""; ""Z""

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 161-164) and index.

ISBN:

9780791493649

0791493644

9781441607744

1441607749

OCLC:

365382741