Electromagnetic Phenomena   2001, Vol.2, No.3(7)  402-458

 

Viktor Demutskii, Revol'd Polovin

Department of Physics and Technology,
Kharkov National University, Ukraine

Quantum Mechanics and Related Philosophical Problems

Abstract

This review is the part of the book which is writing now. The book is devoted to a discussion of the interpretation of quantum mechanics The main ideas of the book are: 1) There is nothing mystical in Quantum Mechanics. 2) Classical mechanics also contains statements which contradict to some philosophical principles and to the common sense. 3) Most of separate quantum effects exist also in Classical Mechanics. "Wildness" of Quantum Mechanics lies in joining together of incompatible effects. 4) Return to the Classical Mechanics by constructing of a more profound theory is impossible. The heuristic role and limitations of the principle of observability and of operationalism are discussed. It is shown that the probabilistic approach to quantum mechanics is essential as a way of reconciling the conflicting concepts of particle and wave. The reason why the reduction of the wave packet is not a physical process, but a logical act is explained. The discussion of the paradoxes of quantum mechanics covers many well known examples and also includes the Aharonov-Bohm effect and interference between two independent laser light beams. It is suggested that the causality principle does not reduce to determinism, but has certain other manifestations too. The impossibility to introduce hidden variables into quantum mechanics is shown. Mathematical manipulations are reduced to the necessary minimum, and many examples are provided to illustrate the discussion. Outstanding contributors to physics are extensively quoted. The book is intended for broad sections of readers with higher education in both the natural sciences and the humanities who are interested in conceptual problems in modern science.

 
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