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Philosophies

Quantum Discontents, or What Is Wrong with Our Science Practice

Gennady Shkliarevsky

Published Nov 23, 2018• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

For more than eighty years the standard interpretation (SI) has dominated quantum physics. Perspectives that have tried to challenge this domination have been remarkably unsuccessful. As a result, quantum theory (QT) has remained remarkably stagnant. The article offers a critical examination of SI and provides an explanation for its continued domination. It also uses Bohmian mechanics—a theoretical perspective advanced by American physicist David Bohm—as a case study for why alternative interpretations have failed to displace SI. The article sees the main reason for the failure to achieve much progress beyond SI in the unresolved philosophical problem of subject-object relation that continues to plague our study of physics. The article sketches a path to a possible solution and outlines a new science practice that this solution will require.

DOI
10.3390/philosophies3040040

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For more than eighty years the standard interpretation (SI) has dominated quantum physics. Perspectives that have tried to challenge this domination have been remarkably unsuccessful. As a result, quantum theory (QT) has remained remarkably stagnant. The article offers a critical examination of SI and provides an explanation for its continued domination. It also uses Bohmian mechanics—a theoretical perspective advanced by American physicist David Bohm—as a case study for why alternative interpretations have failed to displace SI. The article sees the main reason for the failure to achieve much progress beyond SI in the unresolved philosophical problem of subject-object relation that continues to plague our study of physics. The article sketches a path to a possible solution and outlines a new science practice that this solution will require.
An understanding of quantum theory is manifested by the ability successfully and unproblematically to use it to further the scientific goals of prediction, explanation, and control of natural phenomena. An Interpretation seeks further to formulate or reformulate it as a fundamental theory that provides a self-contained description of the world. I critically review three prominent but radically different Interpretations of quantum theory (Bohmian mechanics, non-linear theories, Everettian quantum mechanics) and give my reasons for rejecting each as a way of understanding quantum theory. These include problems associated with non-locality, failure of relativistic invariance, empirical inaccessibility, and decision-making. We can achieve a satisfactory understanding of quantum theory and how it successfully advances the goals of science without providing an Interpretation of the theory.
Abstract Nowadays, David Bohm’s hidden variables interpretation of quantum mechanics is one among other possible interpretations of quantum mechanics. In 1952 when he published this interpretation, he could not foresee the complex denouement it would have. I argue that the initial poor reception of Bohm’s proposal, as well as his discouragement in the late 1950s, was related to the prejudices among physicists concerning the hidden variables issues, and its later revival, in the mid-1970s, without any new evidence corroborating it, was related to a new intellectual ambiance concerning interpretational issues. However, even today, there is a persistent misunderstanding about what interpretations may be compatible with quantum mechanics. Lessons from this history for the practice of science are related to the role played by prejudices even in advanced fields of scientific research and the need to overcome them.
Scientific progress does not always remove difficult conceptual questions about knowledge, reality, and observation. Quantum mechanics is one of the most successful theories in modern science, yet its development has raised persistent questions concerning measurement, observation, and quantum reality. Despite extensive theoretical and experimental progress, the measurement problem remains unresolved and continues to generate different interpretations. This paper examines what this unresolved problem reveals about scientific understanding and how people may approach unresolved scientific questions when established knowledge does not provide a final answer. The discussion uses a conceptual approach, drawing on selected historical and theoretical work and experiments related to the measurement and observer problem. The paper highlights how competing interpretations can remain open while established applications continue to work
Bohmian mechanics is an alternative interpretation of quantum mechanics. We outline the main characteristics of its non-relativistic formulation. Most notably it does provide a simple solution to the infamous measurement problem of quantum mechanics. Presumably the most common objection against Bohmian mechanics is based on its non-locality and its apparent conflict with relativity and quantum field theory. However, several models for a quantum field theoretical generalization do exist. We give a non-technical account of some of these models.
Bohmian mechanics also known as de Broglie-Bohm theory is the most popular alternative approach to quantum mechanics. Whereas the standard interpretation of quantum mechanics is based on the complementarity principle Bohmian mechanics assumes that both particle and wave are concrete physical objects. In 1993 Peter Holland has written an ardent account on the plausibility of the de Broglie-Bohm theory. He proved that it fully reproduces quantum mechanics if the initial particle distribution is consistent with a solution of the Schrödinger equation. Which may be the reasons that Bohmian mechanics has not yet found global acceptance? In this article it will be shown that predicted properties of atoms and molecules are in conflict with experimental findings. Moreover it will be demonstrated that repeatedly published ensembles of trajectories illustrating double slit diffraction processes do not agree with quantum mechanics. The credibility of a theory is undermined when recognizably wrong data presented frequently over years are finally not declared obsolete.