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Grete Hermann (1901-1984) was a pupil of mathematical physicist Emmy Noether, follower and co-worker of neo-Kantian philosopher Leonard Nelson, and an important intellectual figure in post-war German social democracy. She is best known for her work on the philosophy of modern physics in the 1930s, some of which emerged from intense discussions with Heisenberg and Weizsäcker in Leipzig. Hermann's aim was to counter the threat to the Kantian notion of causality coming from quantum mechanics. She also discussed in depth the question of 'hidden variables' (including the first critique of von Neumann's alleged impossibility proof) and provided an extensive analysis of Bohr's notion of complementarity. This volume includes translations of Hermann's two most important essays on this topic: one hitherto unpublished and one translated here into English for the first time. It also brings together recent scholarly contributions by historians and philosophers of science, physicists, and philosophers and educators following in Hermann's steps. Hermann's work places her in the first rank among philosophers who wrote about modern physics in the first half of the last century. Those interested in the many fields to which she contributed will find here a comprehensive discussion of her philosophy of physics that places it in the context of her wider work.
List of contents
Introduction: G. Bacciagaluppi and E.Crull.- Philosophical background of Grete Hermann's work: F. Leal Carratero.- Hermann's road to Leipzig and the 1935 essay: E. Crull.- Understanding Hermann's philosophy of nature: G. Paparo.- Grete Hermann's pioneering contribution to the philosophy of quantum physics: An attempt to reconcile quantum mechanics with transcendental philosophy: L.Soler.- Changing perspectives on Heisenberg's microscope thought experiment: M. Frappier.- C.F.von Wiezsäcker's article on the Heisenberg microscope and its influence on Grete Hermann's notion of 'relative causation': T.Filk.- Challenging the gospel: Grete Hermann on von Neumann's no-hidden-variables proof: M. Seevinck.- Grete Hermann and the 'Copenhagen Interpretation': G. Bacciagaluppi.-Panel discussion on Grete Hermann's ethics and politics: D. Krohn, F. Leal Carretero and R. Saran.- General Discussion.- The natural-philosophical foundations of quantum mechanics: G. Hermann.- Conquering chance: G. Hermann.
Summary
Grete Hermann (1901-1984) was a pupil of mathematical physicist Emmy Noether, follower and co-worker of neo-Kantian philosopher Leonard Nelson, and an important intellectual figure in post-war German social democracy. She is best known for her work on the philosophy of modern physics in the 1930s, some of which emerged from intense discussions with Heisenberg and Weizsäcker in Leipzig. Hermann’s aim was to counter the threat to the Kantian notion of causality coming from quantum mechanics. She also discussed in depth the question of ‘hidden variables’ (including the first critique of von Neumann’s alleged impossibility proof) and provided an extensive analysis of Bohr’s notion of complementarity. This volume includes translations of Hermann’s two most important essays on this topic: one hitherto unpublished and one translated here into English for the first time. It also brings together recent scholarly contributions by historians and philosophers of science, physicists, and philosophers and educators following in Hermann’s steps. Hermann's work places her in the first rank among philosophers who wrote about modern physics in the first half of the last century. Those interested in the many fields to which she contributed will find here a comprehensive discussion of her philosophy of physics that places it in the context of her wider work.
