Background
D'Espagnat, Bernard was born on August 22, 1921 in Fourmagnac, France.
( Conceptual Foundations of Quantum Mechanics provides a ...)
Conceptual Foundations of Quantum Mechanics provides a detailed view of the conceptual foundations and problems of quantum physics, and a clear and comprehensive account of the fundamental physical implications of the quantum formalism. This book deals with nonseparability, hidden variable theories, measurement theories and several related problems. Mathematical arguments are presented with an emphasis on simple but adequately representative cases. The conclusion incorporates a description of a set of relationships and concepts that could compose a legitimate view of the world.
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( Among the great ironies of quantum mechanics is not onl...)
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.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0691158061/?tag=2022091-20
Theoretical physicist Science philosopher
D'Espagnat, Bernard was born on August 22, 1921 in Fourmagnac, France.
Doctor of Philosophy in Physics, Ecole Polytechnique and the Institut Henri Poincaré, 1950.
Researcher Centre National de Recherche Scientifique (National Center for Scientific Research), 1947—1957. Worked with Enrico Fermi Chicago, 1951—1952. Worked with Niels Bohr Institute in Copenhagen, 1953—1954.
With Centre d'Etudes de Recherches Nucleaires (European Organization of Nuclear Research), Geneva. Theoretical physicist European Organization for Nuclear Research, 1954—1959. Senior lecturer, faculty of science University Paris, Paris and Orsay, 1959—1987, emeritus professor Orsay, since 1987.
Director, laboratory theoretical physics and elementary particles University Paris XI, Orsay, 1980—1987. Visiting professor University Texas, Austin, 1977, University California, Santa Barbara, 1984.
( Conceptual Foundations of Quantum Mechanics provides a ...)
( Among the great ironies of quantum mechanics is not onl...)
Member of French Academy Moral and Political Sciences, Brussels International Academy (Philosopher of Science).