The history of the discovery of quantum theory and the debate around its interpretation is reviewed. The strong influence of quantum mechanics on the development of science and philosophy is emphasized and its impact on social technological and economic development is discussed. Possible directions for further development of quantum theory are also mentioned.
The history of the discovery of quantum theory and the debate around its interpretation is reviewed. The strong influence of quantum mechanics on the development of science and philosophy is emphasized and its impact on social technological and economic development is discussed. Possible directions for further development of quantum theory are also mentioned.
Abstract Following the path by which humanity learned quantum mechanics can lead to an improved understanding of the theory and the origins of its perceived limitations. Our goal is to retrace the development by investigating primary sources, including original published papers and letters, with attention to their timing and influence. Quantum mechanics began in 1900 with the introduction of Planck’s constant, which lead to the “old” quantum theory and Bohr’s model of the atom. With the introduction of matter waves in 1924, a second more intense period began. By 1928 the complete fundamental structure of quantum mechanics was established with the introduction of the Schrödinger equation, the proof of its equivalence to Heisenberg’s matrix mechanics, and the introduction of the relativistic Dirac equation. The theory retains the same essential form today, fueling the technological revolution that began in the last century. We culminate with an introduction to quantum information and computing. This completely new physical scientific paradigm was developed largely in Germany during a period of enormous social, economic, and political upheaval—in a hostile intellectual environment—that parallels the overturning of classical physics. It is striking that all the problems debated today were immediately recognized by the founders of the theory and instructive to see how they dealt with the various issues. We emphasize the centrality of the often neglected second quantization form of the theory for questions of interpretation and give a detailed examination of von Neumann’s widely misunderstood hidden variable theorem.
Abstract We present the current state of quantum mechanics, the prospects for its development, and the strengthening of its influence on scientific and technological progress. We look at quantum mechanics from four perspectives. The first perspective astonished physicists already with the advent of quantum mechanics—it is (1) a new way of looking at the world. Over the course of a hundred years of development, quantum mechanics has acquired three more perspectives: (2) an independent field of knowledge, (3) a new physical theory, and (4) a radical change in paradigm in the history of human thought. We have named the new paradigm “neo-Copenhagen” to emphasize both its development from and its continuity with the Copenhagen interpretation. We review the problems of quantum mechanics: how experimental research progresses, how basic concepts develop, how practical applications of paradoxical ideas expand. We indicate ways to solve three Ginzburg’s “great” problems. We formulate the features of the neo-Copenhagen paradigm that have already emerged. We present a look at the future of science and technology on the three time scales.
At the end of 19th century and the beginning of 20th century, deep crisis of the physics promoted itself great revolution, thus the quantum mechanics and the theory of relativity emerged. The establishment of quantum theory, opened the people to know the microcosm, has laid the solid rationale for the physics and even the entire natural sciences development. No one branch of modern physics and correlated peripheral subjects are not based on quantum .Quantum theory are changing modern science and technology profoundly and influencing humanity's thought as well. Reviewing the development of the course, we can feel the far-reaching influence of the quantum theory on the people's epistemology and the world outlook.
The history of the development of quantum theory since its discovery by Planck in 1900 is outlined. The great achievements of quantum mechanics and its contribution to science and mankind are summarized briefly. Judged by all possible criteria, namely, esthetics and scientific criteria and contribution to society in general, quantum mechanics can be ranked in as the highest one. It is stressed that our scientific efforts should be focused on eight to ten most important problems, which could benefit our economy or national defense.At the same time, we should also pay attention to some purely basic research topics that seems “useless” and devoid of any applications. The ongoing fourth breakthrough in physics is the one that deserves attention.
There is a solid growth of quantum theory in that there is quantum physics, quantum chemistry, quantum biology, and a robust technology based on quantum behaviors and effects - to name but the most solid examples of the development and enhancement of quantum science. Quantum science is by and large the most robust theory, ever. However, to date there is a gap between quantum physics and the social sciences, for very little has been said about their interplay. This paper discusses the importance of a relationship between quantum science and the social sciences, and the entailment of such a relation. It offers a brief state-of-the-art, and discusses the very significance of quantum social science.
This chapter, along with the next two chapters, sets the basic context for the readers to go into the topic of this book. Physicists, mathematicians, and philosophers struggle to clarify the foundations of quantum mechanics and debate on the interpretations of quantum mechanics. What is the foundation of quantum mechanics and how to interpret the formalism of quantum mechanics are the core issues of concern in the philosophy of physics. These two questions also involve fundamental issues in the general philosophy of science and even metaphysics and epistemology. This chapter introduces the original thoughts, historical developments, and current status of the interpretation of quantum mechanics, as well as its connection with the philosophy of science and metaphysics; it also analyzes the classifications by Bell, Leifer, and Cabello on the spectrum of interpretations of quantum mechanics, which can be regarded as a sort of “navigation map”. On this basis, the main object of discussion in this book is introduced – the quantum histories interpretation.