The Wave Function
Essays on the Metaphysics of Quantum Mechanics
Published on 28. March 2013
Book
Paperback/Softback
244 pages
978-0-19-979054-8 (ISBN)
Description
This is a new volume of original essays on the metaphysics of quantum mechanics. The essays address questions such as: What fundamental metaphysics is best motivated by quantum mechanics? What is the ontological status of the wave function? Does quantum mechanics support the existence of any other fundamental entities, e.g. particles? What is the nature of the fundamental space (or space-time manifold) of quantum mechanics? What is the relationship between the fundamental ontology of quantum mechanics and ordinary, macroscopic objects like tables, chairs, and persons? The volume includes a comprehensive introduction with a history of quantum mechanics and the debate over its metaphysical interpretation focusing especially on the main realist alternatives.
Reviews / Votes
The essays target an audience of philosophers in science, but the book is also benecial for theoretical physicists. The book can be highly recommended for reader who are looking at the foundations of quantum theory. The book also provides a rich source of references also from a historical point of view. * Willi-Hans Steeb, Zentralblatt Math * This is an uncommonly good collection of essays on the metaphysical foundations of quantum mechanics. It contains work on a compelling subject from a number of the most engaging philosophers of physics, and the overall standard of clarity is exceptional. * Jeffrey A. Barrett, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews * ...a highly recommended book. It brings a series of problems that are typically philosophical to the domain of quantum mechanics, and does so in an accessible way. * Decio Krause and Jonas R. B. Arenhart, Metascience * ... the book is an excellent and enjoyable piece of philosophy, as one gets to see a single problem attacked from many distinct and compelling perspectives. If interested in the metaphysics of the quantum wavefunction, then this collection is a great choice. * Craig Callender, The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Target group
College/higher education
The primary audience is academic philosophers, especially metaphysicians, philosophers of science, and philosophers of physics.
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 13 mm
Weight
377 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-979054-8 (9780199790548)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
03/2013
1st Edition
OUP eBook
€29.49
Available for download
Persons
Alyssa Ney works primarily in metaphysics. She received her B.S. in Physics and Philosophy from Tulane University, and her Ph.D. in Philosophy from Brown University. She has taught at the University of Rochester since 2005.
David Albert is the author of Quantum Mechanics and Experience and Time and Chance and has published many articles on quantum mechanics, mostly in the Physical Review. He is Frederick E. Woodbridge Professor of Philosophy and Director of the M.A. Program in The Philosophical Foundations of Physics at Columbia University.
David Albert is the author of Quantum Mechanics and Experience and Time and Chance and has published many articles on quantum mechanics, mostly in the Physical Review. He is Frederick E. Woodbridge Professor of Philosophy and Director of the M.A. Program in The Philosophical Foundations of Physics at Columbia University.
Content
Preface ; David Z. Albert and Alyssa Ney ; Introduction ; Alyssa Ney ; Chapter 1. Wave Function Realism ; David Z. Albert ; Chapter 2. Primitive Ontology and the Structure of Fundamental Physical Theories ; Valia Allori ; Chapter 3. Whither Wave-Function Realism? ; Steven French ; Chapter 4. Reality and the Role of the Wavefunction in Quantum Theory ; Sheldon Goldstein and Nino Zanghi ; Chapter 5. Dimension and Illusion ; Peter J. Lewis ; Chapter 6. The Nature of the Quantum State ; Tim Maudlin ; Chapter 7. Against 3N-Dimensional Space ; Bradley Monton ; Chapter 8. Ontological Reduction and the Wave Function Ontology ; Alyssa Ney ; Chapter 9. The Structure of a Quantum World ; Jill North ; Chapter 10. A Prolegomenon to the Ontology of the Everett Interpretation ; David Wallace