The Conceptual Foundations of Quantum Mechanics

by Jeffrey A Barrett

In this book Jeffrey A. Barrett provides an introduction to the history and conceptual foundations of quantum mechanics. He begins with a description of classical mechanics and a discussion of the quantum phenomena that radically undermine our common-sense classical intuitions about how the physical world works. He then considers the physical and conceptual arguments that led to the standard von Neumann-Dirac formulation of quantum mechanics and how the standard theory explains quantum phenomena. This includes a discussion of how the theory's two dynamical laws work with the standard interpretation of states to explain determinate measurement records, quantum statistics, interference effects, entanglement, decoherence, and quantum nonlocality.

A careful understanding of how the standard theory works ultimately leads to the quantum measurement problem. Barrett considers how this problem threatens the logical consistency of the standard theory and then turns to a discussion of the main proposals for resolving it. This includes collapse formulations of quantum mechanics, the various many-worlds theories, and Bohmian mechanics. In discussing alternative formulations he pays particular attention to the explanatory role played by each theory's empirical ontology and associated metaphysical commitments, and the conceptual trade-offs between theoretical options. The book is well-suited to those interested in physics and the history and philosophy of quantum mechanics.

Genres: Physics, Philosophy, Science

272 pages, Paperback

Published February 19, 2020

Reviews

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book in a faculty reading group which consisted on me (biology), a mathematician, a physicist, and a philosopher. Generally we enjoyed the book and got a lot out of it.

The first few chapters laid out some basics and we moved through this pretty quickly, a chapter at t time. Then, the different ideas about quantum were more challenging as was understanding the philosophy behind these. W slowed down, spent more time, and did more re-reading. The next to last two chapters, Chapter 10 on Many Worlds and 11 on Bohmian Mechanics, we spent even more time on, covering them in sections rather than the whole chapter. With chapter 11, we came to a point where there remained some that we did not understand but we could do no more with it.

After this effort, the last chapter was disappointing. It did not give an answer, did not round things out, brought in some ideas without development, such that they were unclear.

We all agreed we got quite a bit out of it and are glad we read it.