Phenomenon and Physical Reality

Max Born

F. J. Duarte

Is there a quantum reality which is distinct from a ‘classical reality’? Or is there only one reality determined by physical measurements? The observation by Dalitz and Duarte – ‘Already in 1948, observations agreed with quantum mechanics, not with local realism’ – appears to suggest a departure from classical reality. However, going back to the inescapable truth that Nature describes herself via the experiment , then such divergence between quantum and classical realities is not all that transparent since what made the quote above possible is the nonlocality of the photon . And the nonlocality of the photon is a measurable physical phenomenon. This observation suggests that quantum reality is grander and includes, as a subset, ‘classical reality.’

Amrit Šorli, Steve Kaufman

In physics today it often happens that experimental data is interpreted as proof of a phenomenon that has not been directly observed, but for which phenomenon there is a theoretical model. With the obtained data acting thereby as proof, the model then becomes recognized as “real,” after which the theoretical phenomenon that the model describes also then becomes recognized as “real” – that is, the heretofore purely theoretical phenomenon is acknowledged as a physical reality, even though it has never been observed, by either instruments or human senses. This relatively new situation, in which unobserved phenomenon come to be treated as if they had been directly observed, has lead modern physics into deep epistemological crisis of which it is not yet aware. The purpose of this article is both to identify the epistemological crisis created by this situation, as well as to present a solution to overcoming this crisis.

Tian Song

The great difference between the sub-atom dimension reality described by quantum physics and the ordinary reality by classical physics makes people puzzled and thus calls for explanation. There is no absolute explanation workable in any context An explanation must be related with the our culture context. Classical physics is an explanation system for the world within sensual dimension,the scale that human are able to observe directly by sense organs. Classical physics,primary sensual dimension and ordinary languages are compatible with each other. The limitation of the primary sensual dimension is defined by optical telescope and optical microscope. People try to extend this view of reality to larger and smaller scale,but it does not work either on the cosmos dimension or the sub-atom dimension. Niels Bohr introduced a term phenomenon into quantum physics to replace its counterpart concept object in classical physics. All objects in the quantum world are theoretical construction by phenomena such as the data of instrument,the trace in cloud chamber. However,it is not possible to construct a single visible model to explain those phenomena. Two paradoxical and alternative models,like particle and wave,are needed in the explanation,and this is the complementary principle.

Subhash C. Kak