Veiled Reality

Veiled Reality PDF Author: Bernard D'espagnat
Publisher: Westview Press
ISBN: 9780813340876
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 494

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Book Description
By questioning the validity of some of our basic concepts, such as space, object, and causality, quantum physics contributes quite decisively to the dramatic changes now taking place in our world picture.This book is addressed not only to physicists at an early stage in their careers (the first or second year graduate student) but also to philosophers, as well as to all the senior physicists interested in the interpretation problem. Beginning with a chapter that could be described as “philosophy for physicists,” it presents an in-depth analysis of present-day quantum mechanical concepts, an analysis of physicists and philosophers alike. Specifically, it first offers an extensive critical analysis of such topics as the Einstein, Podolsky, Rosen reality criterion, nonseparatability, the quantum measurement riddle, decoherence theory, consistent histories approaches and ontologically interpretable theories. All this then naturally leads to philosophical questions concerning, in particular, intersubjective agreement and the limit of realism. And a thorough examination of this whole material finally leads to the view that distinguishing between empirical reality and a veiled man-independent reality yields an acceptable answer to the perplexing question of how to interpret quantum physics. Veiled Reality offers nonspecialists, including students in physics, philosophy and the history of science, an accessible perspective on basic problems in the foundations of physics.

Veiled Reality

Veiled Reality PDF Author: Bernard D'espagnat
Publisher: Westview Press
ISBN: 9780813340876
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 494

Get Book Here

Book Description
By questioning the validity of some of our basic concepts, such as space, object, and causality, quantum physics contributes quite decisively to the dramatic changes now taking place in our world picture.This book is addressed not only to physicists at an early stage in their careers (the first or second year graduate student) but also to philosophers, as well as to all the senior physicists interested in the interpretation problem. Beginning with a chapter that could be described as “philosophy for physicists,” it presents an in-depth analysis of present-day quantum mechanical concepts, an analysis of physicists and philosophers alike. Specifically, it first offers an extensive critical analysis of such topics as the Einstein, Podolsky, Rosen reality criterion, nonseparatability, the quantum measurement riddle, decoherence theory, consistent histories approaches and ontologically interpretable theories. All this then naturally leads to philosophical questions concerning, in particular, intersubjective agreement and the limit of realism. And a thorough examination of this whole material finally leads to the view that distinguishing between empirical reality and a veiled man-independent reality yields an acceptable answer to the perplexing question of how to interpret quantum physics. Veiled Reality offers nonspecialists, including students in physics, philosophy and the history of science, an accessible perspective on basic problems in the foundations of physics.

In Search of Reality

In Search of Reality PDF Author: B. D'Espagnat
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3642870503
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 254

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Book Description
When I take up a new book I always read its conclusions first. For I have discovered that even difficult books have conclusions that are easy to read and that give a first idea of their content. Of course, I expect my readers to do this also! Indeed, the present book offers them an opportunity for generalizing the method. After having gone over chapter 14 they should preferably look through chapters 5, 2, 13 and 10, or at least some of these (in this or in other orders), before engaging into any thorough reading. The point is that-at appropriate places in other chapters-the reader will find proofs; and, as we all know, all the proofs that are worth something are unavoidably ponderous. Of course, it is good to have them but, again, the most suitable procedure not to lose interest in their development is, I think, to first provisionally grant their conclusions,. in order to see where they lead us to. Then, to study the proofs once we have been convinced that the goal is worth some effort. This is the reason why I suggest that at least chapters 4 and 11 should, on a first reading, be skipped, at any rate, by the "poets"! The problem, a new approach of which is described in chapter 4, did not come to light, at least in its present form, before 1964. The first experi mental investigations bearing on it date back from the seventies.

Do We Really Understand Quantum Mechanics?

Do We Really Understand Quantum Mechanics? PDF Author: Franck Laloë
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 110702501X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 409

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Book Description
Gives an overview of the quantum theory and its main interpretations. Ideal for researchers in physics and mathematics.

Making Human Rights a Reality

Making Human Rights a Reality PDF Author: Emilie Hafner-Burton
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 0691155364
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 294

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Book Description
Includes bibliographical references (pages 199-265) and index.

Semiclassical Physics

Semiclassical Physics PDF Author: Matthias Brack
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 0429982453
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 442

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Book Description
This book attempts to convey to the reader that semiclassical physics can be fun, as well as useful for understanding quantum fluctuations in interacting many-body systems. It presents applications to finite fermion systems in diverse areas of physics.

On Physics and Philosophy

On Physics and Philosophy PDF Author: Bernard d'Espagnat
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 0691158061
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 518

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Book Description
"On Physics and Philosophy is an accessible, mathematics-free reflection on the philosophical meaning of the quantum revolution, by one of the world's leading authorities on the subject. D'Espagnat presents an objective account of the main guiding principles of contemporary physics - in particular, quantum mechanics - followed by a look at just what consequences these should imply for philosophical thinking."--

On Physics and Philosophy

On Physics and Philosophy PDF Author: Bernard d'Espagnat
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 069124023X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 518

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Book Description
Among the great ironies of quantum mechanics is not only that its conceptual foundations seem strange even to the physicists who use it, but that philosophers have largely ignored it. Here, Bernard d'Espagnat argues that quantum physics--by casting doubts on once hallowed concepts such as space, material objects, and causality-demands serious reconsideration of most of traditional philosophy. On Physics and Philosophy is an accessible, mathematics-free reflection on the philosophical meaning of the quantum revolution, by one of the world's leading authorities on the subject. D'Espagnat presents an objective account of the main guiding principles of contemporary physics-in particular, quantum mechanics-followed by a look at just what consequences these should imply for philosophical thinking. The author begins by describing recent discoveries in quantum physics such as nonseparability, and explicating the significance of contemporary developments such as decoherence. Then he proceeds to set various philosophical theories of knowledge--such as materialism, realism, Kantism, and neo-Kantism--against the conceptual problems quantum theory raises. His overall conclusion is that while the physical implications of quantum theory suggest that scientific knowledge will never truly describe mind-independent reality, the notion of such an ultimate reality--one we can never access directly or rationally and which he calls "veiled reality"--remains conceptually necessary nonetheless.

Veiled Freedom

Veiled Freedom PDF Author: Jeanette Windle
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
ISBN: 1414333528
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 456

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Book Description
When Special Forces veteran Steve Wilson returns to Kabul as security chief to the minister of interior, he is disillusioned with the corriuption and violence that has overtaken the country he fought to free. Relief worker Amy Mallory arrives in Afghanistan ready to change the world. She soon discovers that as a Western woman, the challenges are monumental. Afghan native Jamil returns to his homeland seeking work, but a painful past continues to haunt him. All three are searching for truth and freedom when a suicide bombing brings them together on Kabul's dusty streets.--From publisher's description.

Foundations Of Modern Physics 1992 - Proceedings Of The Symposium

Foundations Of Modern Physics 1992 - Proceedings Of The Symposium PDF Author: K V Laurikainen
Publisher: World Scientific
ISBN: 981455331X
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 462

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Book Description
The lectures focus on the relevance of the Copenhagen interpretation today and on the philosophy of Wolfgang Pauli.

Conformal Field Theory

Conformal Field Theory PDF Author: Yavuz Nutku
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 042998250X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 342

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Book Description
This book provides an understanding of conformal field theory and its importance to both statistical mechanics and string theory. It introduces the Wess-Zumino-Novokov-Witten (WZNW) models and their current algebras, the affine Kac-Moody algebras.