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Quantum theory launched a revolution in physics. But we have yet to understand the revolution's significance for philosophy. Richard Healey opens a path to such understanding. The first part of this book offers a self-contained but opinionated introduction to quantum theory. The second part assesses the theory's philosophical significance.
List of contents
- 1: Overview: A New Kind of Science
- I: Quantum Theory
- 2: Superposition
- 3: Entanglement
- 4: Non-locality
- 5: Assigning Values and States
- 6: Measurement
- 7: Interlude: Some Alternative Interpretations
- II: Philosophical Revelations
- 8: Theories, Models, and Representation
- 9: Probability and Explanation
- 10: Causation and Locality
- 11: Observation and Objectivity
- 12: Meaning
- 13: Fundamentality
- Conclusion
- Appendices
About the author
Richard Healey has been Professor of Philosophy at the University of Arizona since 1991. One aim of his research has been to inquire how far foundational studies of physics shed light on metaphysical topics such as holism, realism, composition, time and causation. He is now exploring the relations between science and metaphysics from a broadly pragmatist perspective. His Gauging What's Real (2007), exploring the conceptual foundations of gauge theories in physics, was awarded the Lakatos Prize in the philosophy of science.
Summary
Quantum theory launched a revolution in physics. But we have yet to understand the revolution's significance for philosophy. Richard Healey opens a path to such understanding. The first part of this book offers a self-contained but opinionated introduction to quantum theory. The second part assesses the theory's philosophical significance.
Additional text
The book is primarily intended for those without a background in QT: philosophers, scientists, and laypeople interested in going beyond the metaphors found in popular presentations. ... The Quantum Revolution marks a major advance. The vast majority of quantum interpreters have simply assumed that QT provides a novel description of reality. Those that have recognized other options typically have in mind subjectivist views like QBism. Healey's view provides an important third option: QT provides objectively correct guidance about the world. Healey's view suggests a radical revision to the standard problems and the philosophical import of QT, and such a shake-up is certainly good for progress in the area.
