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The Gestalt problem in quantum theory: Generation of molecular shape by the environment

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Abstract

Quantum systems have a holistic structure, which implies that they cannot be divided into parts. In order tocreate (sub)objects like individual substances, molecules, nuclei, etc., in a universal whole, the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen correlations between all the subentities, e.g. all the molecules in a substance, must be suppressed by perceptual and mental processes.

Here the particular problems ofGestalt (≡shape)perception are compared with the attempts toattribute a shape to a quantum mechanical system like a molecule. Gestalt perception and quantum mechanics turn out (on an informal level) to show similar features and problems: holistic aspects, creation of objects, dressing procedures, influence of the ‘observer’, classical quantities and structures. The attribute ‘classical’ of a property or structure means thatholistic correlations to any other quantity do not exist or that these correlations are considered as irrelevant and therefore eliminated (either deliberately and by declaration or in a mental process that is not under rational control). An example of animposed classical structure is the nuclear frame of a molecule. Candidates for classical properties that arenot imposed by the observer could be the charge of a particle or the handedness of a molecule. It is argued here that at least part of a molecule's shape can begenerated ‘automatically’ by the environment. A molecular shape of this sort arises in addition to Lamb shift-type energy corrections.

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  1. Laboratory of Physical Chemistry, ETH-Zentrum, CH-8092, Zürich, Switzerland

    Anton Amann

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Amann, A. The Gestalt problem in quantum theory: Generation of molecular shape by the environment. Synthese 97, 125–156 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01255834

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