Quantum Mechanics and Our “Culture”

Jean Bricmont

The Criticism and Theory Society of Korea, Hyun Seok Lee

J. Manuel, John W. Murphy

Darı́o Gil, Joseph S. Broz, Irfan A. Siddiqi

Marco Giliberti, Enrico Giannetto, Katarzyna Wyborska +3 more

A century after its formulation, we discuss the multifaceted implications for education of the vast cultural connections that quantum mechanics (QM) has helped establish between physics and other disciplines. Drawing on the most recent research in QM education, we will address the epistemological paradigms that underpin our understanding of nature and the cultural significance of this theory for the intellectual development of students at various educational levels; always maintaining a careful focus on the fundamental educational challenge of teaching and learning about the nature of science through physics education.

Robert Golub, S. K. Lamoreaux

Abstract Most, but not all, of the fundamental work on quantum mechanics took place during the turbulent times of the Weimar republic, which was formed in Germany after the abdication of the Kaiser at the end of WWI. While many physicists are appalled at the implication that physical theories might, even to a limited extent, be influenced by their cultural milieu, we feel an overview of the latter might help in an overall understanding of the theory. We will see that such views were shared, to some extent, by Schrödinger. After a brief overview of the contemporary economic and cultural situation and the reactions of several of the originators of quantum theory, we pass on to Forman’s thesis regarding the influence of Weimar culture and quantum mechanics. This thesis has spurred an enormous debate, of which we give a short description.