Quantum Reality: The Quest for the Real Meaning of Quantum Mechanics - a Game of Theories

Quantum mechanics is an extraordinarily successful scientific theory. It is also completely mad. Although the theory quite obviously works, it leaves us chasing ghosts and phantoms; particles that are waves and waves that are particles; cats that are at once both alive and dead; and lots of seemingly spooky goings-on. But if we're prepared to be a little more specific about what we mean when we talk about 'reality' and a little more circumspect in the way we think a scientific theory might represent such a reality, then all the mystery goes away. This shows that the choice we face is actually a philosophical one.

Here, Jim Baggott provides a quick but comprehensive introduction to quantum mechanics for the general reader, and explains what makes this theory so very different from the rest. He also explores the processes involved in developing scientific theories and explains how these lead to different philosophical positions, essential if we are to understand the nature of the great debate between Niels Bohr and Albert Einstein. Moving forwards, Baggott then provides a comprehensive guide to attempts to determine what the theory actually means, from the Copenhagen interpretation to many worlds and the multiverse.

Richard Feynman once declared that 'nobody understands quantum mechanics'. This book will tell you why.

ISBN-13: 9780198830153

Media Type: Hardcover

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Publication Date: 09-01-2020

Pages: 320

Product Dimensions: 6.10(w) x 9.30(h) x 1.30(d)

Jim Baggott is an award-winning science writer. He trained as a scientist at the University of Oxford before embarking on post-doctoral research studies at Oxford and at Stanford University in California. Following a tenured lectureship at the University of Reading, he worked for Shell International Petroleum for 11 years before leaving to establish his own business consultancy and training practice. Jim's many books include Quantum Space (OUP, 2018), Mass (OUP, 2017), for which he won the 2020 Premio Cosmos prize, Origins (OUP, 2015), Higgs (OUP, 2012), The Quantum Story (OUP, 2011), and A Beginner's Guide to Reality (Penguin, 2005).

Table of Contents

PreamblePrologue: Why Didn't Somebody Tell Me About All This Before? 1. The Complete Guide to Quantum Mechanics (Abridged)2. Just What is This Thing Called 'Reality', Anyway? 3. Sailing on the Sea of Representation4. When Einstein Came Down to Breakfast5. ...So Just Shut Up and Calculate6. ...But We Need to Reinterpret What it Says7. ...So We Need to Add Some Things8. ...So We Need to Add Some Other Thing9. ...Because We Need to Include My Mind (Or Should that be Your Mind?)10. ...Because...Okay, I Give UpEpilogue: I've Got a Very Bad Feeling About ThisAcknowledgementsEndnotesBibliography