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24.111

Philosophy of Quantum Mechanics

3-0-9 units. HASS-H · Undergraduate

Quantum mechanics is said to describe a world in which physical objects often lack "definite" properties, indeterminism creeps in at the point of "observation," ordinary logic does not apply, and distant events are perfectly yet inexplicably correlated. Examination of these and other issues central to the philosophical foundations of quantum mechanics, with special attention to the measurement problem, no-hidden-variables proofs, and Bell's Inequalities. Rigorous approach to the subject matter nevertheless neither presupposes nor requires the development of detailed technical knowledge of the quantum theory.

Spring 2005

Topics

  • Overview of Some Odd Phenomena
  • Overview of Some Odd Phenomena (cont.)
  • The Mathematical Formalism and Its Orthodox Interpretation
  • The Mathematical Formalism and Its Orthodox Interpretation (cont.)
  • The Measurement Problem and Attempted Solutions
  • Hidden Variables and Proofs of Their Impossibility
  • Quantum Extravagances
  • Composition and Identical Particles

Readings

  • The required text for the course is Albert. Quantum Mechanics and Experience . Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1992. ISBN: 0674741129.
    Listed reading
  • Hughes, R. I. G. The Structure and Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics . Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1989. ISBN: 0674843916.
    Listed reading
  • Maudlin. Quantum Non-locality and Relativity: Metaphysical Intimations of Modern Physics . Malden, MA: Blackwell, c2002. ISBN: 0631232214. (Highly recommended)
    Listed reading
  • Lec #: 1-3 · TOPICS: Overview of Some Odd Phenomena · READINGS: Albert, Chapters 1 and 3; Hughes, Preface and Introduction; supplemental readings
    Reading assignment
  • Lec #: 5-6 · TOPICS: The Mathematical Formalism and Its Orthodox Interpretation · READINGS: Albert, Chapter 2; Hughes, Chapters 1-5; supplemental readings
    Reading assignment
  • Lec #: 9-16 · TOPICS: The Measurement Problem and Attempted Solutions · READINGS: Albert, Chapters 4-7; supplemental readings
    Reading assignment
  • Lec #: 17-19 · TOPICS: Hidden Variables and Proofs of Their Impossibility · READINGS: Hughes, Chapter 6; supplemental readings
    Reading assignment
  • Lec #: 20-22 · TOPICS: Quantum Extravagances · READINGS: Supplemental readings: topics may include one or more of quantum logic, quantum faster-than-light signaling, quantum teleportation, quantum computing
    Reading assignment
  • Lec #: 23-26 · TOPICS: Composition and Identical Particles · READINGS: Supplemental readings
    Reading assignment

Prerequisites & course information

Prereq: None U (Spring) 3-0-9 units. HASS-H

Sources