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The letters transcribed in this book were written by physicist David Bohm to three close female acquaintances in the period 1950 to 1956. They provide a background to his causal interpretation of quantum mechanics and the Marxist philosophy that inspired his scientific work in quantum theory, probability and statistical mechanics. In his letters, Bohm reveals the ideas that led to his ground breaking book Causality and Chance in Modern Physics. The political arguments as well as the acute personal problems contained in these letters help to give a rounded, human picture of this leading scientist and twentieth century thinker.
List of contents
Part 1 Introduction: Introduction.- The Causal Interpretation and Causality and Chance.- Bohm After Brazil.- Growing Recognition of Bohm's Causal Interpretation.- Introduction to the Letters.- Bohm's Philosophy as Revealed by the Letters.- Bohm on Mathematics.- Development of the Causal Interpretation.- Notes on Probabilty and Statistical Mechanics.- Bohm and Feminism.- Bohm and Politics.- The USSR, Philosophy and Science.- A "Precious Being" in Adversity.- Part 2 The Letters: Letters to Hanna Loewy, 1950.- Letters to Hanna Loeewy and Lilly Kahler, 1951-53.- Letters to Melba Phillips, October-December, 1951.- Letters to Melba Phillips, 1952.- Letters to Melba Phillips, 1953-4.-Letters to Melba Phillips, 1955-6.- Letters to Miriam Yevick, October-December, 1951.- Letters Miriam Yevick, 1952, Part 1.- Letters to Miriam Yevick, 1952, Part 2.- Letters to Miriam Yevick, 1952 Part 3
.- Letters to Miriam Yevick, 1952, Part 4.- Letters to Miriam Yevick, 1952, Part 5.- Letters to Miriam Yevick, 1953, Part 1.- Letters to Miriam Yevick, 1953, Part 2.-Letters to Miriam Yevick,1953, Part 3.- Letters to Miriam Yevick, 1954, Part 1.- Letters to Miriam Yevick, 1954, Part 2.- Letters to Miriam Yevick, 1954, Part 3.- Letters to Miriam Yevick, 1954, Part 4.- Single Pages of Letters to Miriam Yevick and Letter to George Yevick.
About the author
A lifelong socialist, Chris Talbot has a PhD in General Relativity. He lectured in mathematics at the University of Huddersfield, researching in Engineering Mathematics. Now retired he has returned to work on the early letters of David Bohm whom he greatly admired as a student with an interest in Marxist philosophy.
Summary
The letters transcribed in this book were written by physicist David Bohm to three close female acquaintances in the period 1950 to 1956. They provide a background to his causal interpretation of quantum mechanics and the Marxist philosophy that inspired his scientific work in quantum theory, probability and statistical mechanics. In his letters, Bohm reveals the ideas that led to his ground breaking book Causality and Chance in Modern Physics. The political arguments as well as the acute personal problems contained in these letters help to give a rounded, human picture of this leading scientist and twentieth century thinker.
Additional text
“I recommend David Bohm: Causality and Chance, Letters to Three Women to those who are already familiar with Bohm’s life and work, as Talbot’s edition offers a great chance to deepen one’s knowledge.” (Christian Forstner, Isis, Vol. 111 (1), March, 2020)
Report
"I recommend David Bohm: Causality and Chance, Letters to Three Women to those who are already familiar with Bohm's life and work, as Talbot's edition offers a great chance to deepen one's knowledge." (Christian Forstner, Isis, Vol. 111 (1), March, 2020)
