| Quantum Mechanics: An Empiricist View Contributor(s): Van Fraassen, Bas C. (Author) |
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ISBN: 0198239807 ISBN-13: 9780198239802 Publisher: Clarendon Press OUR PRICE: $79.80 Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats Published: November 1991 Annotation: After introducing the empiricist point of view in philosophy of science, and the concepts and methods of the semantic approach to scientific theories, van Fraassen discusses quantum theory in three stages. He first examines the question of whether and how empirical phenomena require a non-classical theory, and what sort of theory they require. He then discusses the mathematical foundations of quantum theory with special reference to developments in the modelling of interaction, composite systems, and measurement. Finally, the author broaches the main questions of interpretation. After offering a critique of earlier interpretations, he develops a new one--the modal interpretation--which attempts to stay close to the original Copenhagen ideas without implying a radical incompleteness in quantum theory. He again gives special attention to the character of composite, many-body systems and especially to the peculiar character of assemblies of identical particles in quantum statistics. |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Science | Physics - Quantum Theory - Science | Philosophy & Social Aspects - Language Arts & Disciplines | Linguistics - General |
| Dewey: 530.12 |
| LCCN: 90026302 |
| Series: Clarendon Paperbacks |
| Physical Information: 1.25" H x 5.5" W x 8.5" (1.55 lbs) 560 pages |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: After introducing the empiricist point of view in philosophy of science, and the concepts and methods of the semantic approach to scientific theories, van Fraassen discusses quantum theory in three stages. He first examines the question of whether and how empirical phenomena require a non-classical theory, and what sort of theory they require. He then discusses the mathematical foundations of quantum theory with special reference to developments in the modelling of interaction, composite systems, and measurement. Finally, the author broaches the main questions of interpretation. After offering a critique of earlier interpretations, he develops a new one--the modal interpretation--which attempts to stay close to the original Copenhagen ideas without implying a radical incompleteness in quantum theory. He again gives special attention to the character of composite, many-body systems and especially to the peculiar character of assemblies of identical particles in quantum statistics. |