Quantum Mechanics and Objectivity: A Study of the Physical Philosophy of Werner HeisenbergQuantum mechanics has raised in an acute form three problems which go to the heart of man's relationship with nature through experimental science: (r) the public objectivity of science, that is, its value as a universal science for all investigators; (2) the empirical objectivity of scientific objects, that is, man's ability to construct a precise or causal spatio-temporal model of microscopic systems; and finally (3), the formal objectivity of science, that is, its value as an expression of what nature is independently of its being an object of human knowledge. These are three aspects of what is generally called the "crisis of objec tivity" or the "crisis of realism" in modern physics. This crisis is. studied in the light of Werner Heisenberg's work. Heisenberg was one of the architects of quantum mechanics, and we have chosen his writings as the principal source-material for this study. Among physicists of the microscopic domain, no one except perhaps Bohr has expressed himself so abundantly and so profoundly on the philosophy of science as Heisenberg. His writings, both technical and non-technical, show an awareness of the mysterious element in scientific knowledge, far from the facile positivism of Bohr and others of his contemporaries. The mystery of human knowledge and human SUbjectivity is for him an abiding source of wonder. |
Contents
THE DISCOVERY OF QUANTUM MECHANICS | 23 |
Enriching Abstraction | 38 |
THE INTENTIONALITY OF STRUCTURE | 44 |
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abstract act of observation affirmation apparatus atomic causality chap classical mechanics classical physics complementarity concrete consciousness constituted correlate Correspondence Principle criterion defined definition described deterministic E. P. Wigner eigen Einstein elementary particles elements empirical objectivity empiricism epistemological equation essential example experience experimental expressed formal objectivity human Ibid ideal norm individual instrument intentionality-structure interaction interpretation intuition Kant Kantian knowing knowledge laws logical London mathematical meaning measuring process mixture Modern Physics nature Niels Bohr noetic object of quantum observable symbol ontological operator perception phenomenal object Physical Principles physical property physical reality physical system physical theory physicists probability public objectivity pure quantum mechanical system quantum mechanics quantum physics quantum theory rationalism rationalist represented Schrödinger scientific method scientist sense sensible statistical strict object structure theory of measurement things universal variables wave function wave packet Werner Heisenberg Wigner World