Quantum Non-Locality and Relativity: Metaphysical Intimations of Modern Physics

ISBN-13: 9781444331271 / Angielski / Miękka / 2011 / 314 str.

Tim Maudlin

Opis

The third edition of Quantum Non-Locality and Relativity has been carefully updated to reflect significant developments, including a new chapter covering important recent work in the foundations of physics.

• A new edition of the premier philosophical study of Bell's Theorem and its implication for the relativistic account of space and time
• Discusses Roderich Tumiulka's explicit, relativistic theory that can reproduce the quantum mechanical violation of Bell's inequality.
• Discusses the -Free Will Theorem- of John Conway and Simon Kochen
• Introduces philosophers to the relevant physics and demonstrates how philosophical analysis can help inform physics

Recenzje

"An absolutely indispensible read for anyone who wants to understand the problem of "making sense" of quantum mechanics. It is beautifully written and profoundly exciting."--Hilary Putnam, Harvard University"The publication of the third edition of Tim Maudlin's classic book undoubtedly represents a most notable event. The richness and depth of the previous editions has been enhanced by the presentation of very recent and important investigation and debate concerning the most crucial problem of modern physics, i.e. the compatibility of Quantum Mechanics and Relativity. Reading this challenging and extremely deep book is a must for all people interested in the conceptual foundations of science."--GianCarlo Ghirardi, Professor Emeritus, University of TriestePraise for the second edition"Maudlin's book is outstanding, and is particularly remarkable for three central achievements: the clearest exposition of Bell's theorem I know of; a careful discussion of the (in)compatibility between the implications of that theorem and relativity; and astute suggestions for how one could deal with this problem. Maudlin is a professional philosopher who writes on this most fundamental issue of physics in a way that is far clearer than the work of most physicists."--Jean Bricmont, University of Louvain

Spis treści

Preface to First Edition vi

Preface to Second Edition x

Preface to Third Edition xii

Introduction 1

1 Bell s Theorem: The Price of Locality 6

Appendix A: The GHZ Scheme 24

2 Relativity and Space–time Structure 27

3 Finger Exercise: Superluminal Matter Transport 55

4 Controlling the Connection: Signals 74

Appendix B: Bohmian Mechanics 106

5 Causation 114

6 Secret Messages 148

7 Points of View 173

8 Life in Elastic Space–time 205

9 Morals 221

10 New Discoveries and Deeper Insights: The View from 2010 224

An Overview of Quantum Mechanics 260

References 284

Index 290

O autorze

Tim Maudlin is Professor of Philosophy at Rutgers University. He received his doctorate in History and Philosophy of Science from the University of Pittsburgh. His work lies at the intersection of physics and philosophy, including the foundations of physics and logic. He is the author of Truth and Paradox (2004) and The Metaphysics within Physics (2007). Maudlin is a member of the Academie Internationale de Philosophie des Sciences and a Guggenheim Fellow.

Blurb

Quantum Non–Locality and Relativity is recognized as the premier philosophical study of Bell′s Theorem and its implication for the relativistic account of space and time. Previous editions have been praised for the remarkable clarity of Maudlin′s descriptions of both Bell′s theorem and his examination of the potential conflict between the theorem and relativity.

The third edition of this text has been carefully updated to reflect significant developments, including a new chapter covering important recent work in the foundations of physics. Foremost among these is Roderich Tumiulka′s explicit, relativistic theory that can reproduce the quantum mechanical violation of Bell′s inequality. The "Free Will Theorem" of John Conway and Simon Kochen is also discussed, as is the status of locality in the Many Worlds interpretation of quantum theory. The book has also been updated to reflect recent results in information theory.

The book introduces philosophers to the relevant physics and demonstrates how philosophical analysis can help to resolve some of the problems, and requires no technical background in Physics. All of the physics is presented from first principles, and as much as possible is presented pictorially.