Quantum theory: a philosopher's overview

Preface

1. The Quantum and Classical Theories: A Crucial Difference of Theory-Type

Quantum Theory

Classical Theory

The "Unfinished" 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

Scientific Explanation

Causation and Explanation

Quantum Theory; Born Algorithmic

Settling for Prediction

Dirac Transformation Theory

Symmetry in Scientific 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

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 CompletenessBell'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 QuantumizationA 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.