The Wave Function
Essays on the Metaphysics of Quantum Mechanics
Published on 28. March 2013
Book
Hardback
256 pages
978-0-19-979080-7 (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
...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, British Journal of the Philosophy of Science * 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 * ... 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
Dimensions
Height: 240 mm
Width: 161 mm
Thickness: 18 mm
Weight
534 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-979080-7 (9780199790807)
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
David Z. Albert Alyssa Ney
Wave Function: Essays on the Metaphysics of Quantum Mechanics
Essays on the Metaphysics of Quantum Mechanics
E-Book
03/2013
1st Edition
Oxford University Press
€46.29
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