Thesis ID: CBB001560887

Phenomenal Surfaces and Noumenal Depths: Philosophy and Quantum Theory (2006)

unapi

Nickard, Gary Laurence (Author)


State University of New York at Buffalo
Sussman, Henry


Publication Date: 2006
Edition Details: Advisor: Sussman, Henry
Physical Details: 171 pp.
Language: English

Quantum theory as it stands today is perhaps the single most comprehensive, experimentally verified and successful theory in the entire history of science. Using a philosophical context, this synthesis challenges the impression shared by many physicists and laymen alike that in some way this theory is incomplete, philosophically flawed, or self-contradictory. In simple terms and with little scientific or philosophical jargon, this is an examination of some of the philosophical implications quantum theory. In particular, the Copenhagen interpretation of Bohr and Heisenberg is systematically explored revealing its neo-Kantian and anti-realist features. The unsung 'hero' of this tale, as recognized by Heisenberg is the German poet and naturalist Goethe whose heterodox _ Theory of Colors_, dismissed by so many as an anti-science diatribe, actually presciently outlines a position similar to the indeterminacy principle. Goethe maintained that theories are not objective descriptions as such, but rather the points of view of the scientist framed within a particular context of knowledge. As Bohr said: 'Natural Science is not nature itself but part of a relation between man and nature, and therefore is dependant on man.' Finally the physical theories of de Broglie and Bohm are contextualized within the philosophical ideas of Bergson, Deleuze. Kant and Whitehead. In particular Whitehead's idea of the 'Melodic Metaphor' an embrace of the matter wave model is seen as a new 'Music of the Spheres.' Finally, the notion of aesthetic beauty in scientific theory is examined in some depth, revealing it to be an important criterion for judging the validity of theoretical constructs.

...More

Description Explores philosophical ties between quantum theory and the ideas of Goethe, Bergson, and Deleuze. Cited in Diss. Abstr. Int. A 67/07 (2007): 2568. UMI pub. no. 3226693.


Citation URI
https://data.isiscb.org/isis/citation/CBB001560887/

Similar Citations

Book Elise Crull; Guido Bacciagaluppi; (2017)
Grete Hermann - Between Physics and Philosophy (/isis/citation/CBB765433496/)

Book Fedi, Laurent; Salanskis, Jean-Michel; (2001)
Les philosophies françaises et la science: dialogue avec Kant (/isis/citation/CBB000774827/)

Article Camilleri, Kristian; (2009)
Constructing the Myth of the Copenhagen Interpretation (/isis/citation/CBB000932265/)

Article Camilleri, Kristian; (2007)
Indeterminacy and the Limits of Classical Concepts: The Transformation of Heisenberg's Thought (/isis/citation/CBB000720294/)

Thesis Diamond, Ethel; (2006)
The Role of Philosophy in the Conceptual Development of Quantum Physics (/isis/citation/CBB001560852/)

Book Evans, James; Thorndike, A. S.; (2007)
Quantum Mechanics at the Crossroads: New Perspectives from History, Philosophy and Physics (/isis/citation/CBB001031681/)

Article Root-Bernstein, Robert Scott; (2007)
Certain of Heisenberg's Arts (/isis/citation/CBB000831482/)

Article Henderson, James R.; (2010)
Classes of Copenhagen Interpretations: Mechanisms of Collapse as Typologically Determinative (/isis/citation/CBB001024196/)

Book Cassidy, David; (2008)
Beyond Uncertainty: Heisenberg, Quantum Physics, and the Bomb (/isis/citation/CBB001220838/)

Book Heath Massey; (2015)
The Origin of Time: Heidegger and Bergson (/isis/citation/CBB452458752/)

Article Rigden, John S.; Stuewer, Roger H.; (2012)
Understanding of Quantum Mechanics Eludes Physicists for Eighty-Six Years (/isis/citation/CBB001221642/)

Chapter Antonino Drago; (2016)
The three formulations of quantum mechanics founded on the alternative choices (/isis/citation/CBB805461360/)

Article Friederich, Simon; (2013)
Interpreting Heisenberg Interpreting Quantum States (/isis/citation/CBB001421057/)

Book Lindley, David; (2007)
Uncertainty: Einstein, Heisenberg, Bohr, and the Struggle for the Soul of Science (/isis/citation/CBB000774697/)

Article Vagt, Christina; (2011)
Complementary Correspondence: Heidegger and Heisenberg on the Question Concerning Technology (/isis/citation/CBB001250244/)

Article Camilleri, Kristian; (2006)
Heisenberg and the Wave-Particle Duality (/isis/citation/CBB000670175/)

Authors & Contributors
Camilleri, Kristian
Massey, Heath
John J. Stuhr
Vagt, Christina
Thorndike, Alan S.
Stuewer, Roger H.
Concepts
Physics
Quantum mechanics
Philosophy
Theoretical physics
Philosophy of science
Atomic, nuclear, and particle physics
Time Periods
20th century
20th century, early
19th century
Places
Germany
Copenhagen (Denmark)
United States
France
Comments

Be the first to comment!

{{ comment.created_by.username }} on {{ comment.created_on | date:'medium' }}

Log in or register to comment