Interpreting Quantum Theories - The Art of the Possible

Philosophers of quantum mechanics have generally addressed exceedingly simple systems. Laura Ruetsche offers a much-needed study of the interpretation of more complicated systems, and an underexplored family of physical theories, such as quantum field theory and quantum statistical mechanics, showing why they repay philosophical attention.

List of contents

• Contents


• Preface


• Abbreviations and Symbols


• 1: Exegesis Saves: Interpreting Physical Theories


• 2: Quantizing


• 3: Beyond the Stone-von Neumann Theorem


• 4: Representation Without Taxation


• 5: Axioms for Quantum Theories


• 6: Interpreting Quantum Theories: Some Options


• 7: Extraordinary QM


• 8: Interpreting Extraordinary QM


• 9: Is Particle Physics Particle Physics?


• 10: Particles and the Void


• 11: Phenomenological Particle Notions


• 12: A Matter of Degree: Making Sense of Phase Structure


• 13: Interlude: Symmetry Breaking in QSM


• 14: Broken Symmetry and Physicists' QFT


• 15: Morals?


• References

About the author

Laura Ruetsche, University of Michigan

Summary

Philosophers of quantum mechanics have generally addressed exceedingly simple systems. Laura Ruetsche offers a much-needed study of the interpretation of more complicated systems, and an underexplored family of physical theories, such as quantum field theory and quantum statistical mechanics, showing why they repay philosophical attention.

Additional text

Ruetsche's book is set apart from many of the recent books of the philosophy of physics, not only in its engagement with the quantum theory of infinite systems (including quantum field theory), but also in its explicit engagement with questions from general philosophy of science... It is a book that repays close study and which should be discussed extensively by philosophers in the years to come.

Product details

• Authors: Laura Ruetsche, Laura (University of Michigan) Ruetsche, Ruetsche Laura
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 20.06.2013
• EAN: 9780199681068
• ISBN: 978-0-19-968106-8
• No. of pages: 398
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Philosophy; Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Natural sciences (general); PHILOSOPHY / General, SCIENCE / Physics / General, SCIENCE / Physics / Quantum Theory, Philosophy, SCIENCE / Philosophy & Social Aspects, Philosophy of Science, Physics, Quantum physics (quantum mechanics & quantum field theory), Quantum physics (quantum mechanics and quantum field theory)