Abstract
At a variance with a popular opinion according to which the basic feature of modern physics would be reducible to its transition from classical determinism to quantum-mechanical indeterminism, I propose, rather, to put in evidence how the main peculiarity of quantum theory is constituted by an ambigous formal coexistence between a deterministic and a probabilistic description. In particular, I shall show that such an unsolved dualism can be considered an essential interpretative key to the main philosophical problems of this last theory.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Wigner, E.P. (1971), “The Subject of Our Discussion”, in Foundations of Quantum Mechanics, Rendiconti SIF, IL, Academic Press, New York.
Wigner, E.P. (1973), “Epistemological Perspectives on Quantum Theory”, in Contemporary Research in the Foundations and Philosophy of Quantum Theory, ed. by C.A. Hooker, Reidel, Dordrecht, p. 375.
Tarozzi, G. (1981), “The Theory of Observations, Wigner Paradox and the Mind- Body Problem”,Epistemologia, IV, p. 37.
Hall, J., Kim, C., Mlroy, B. and Shimony, A. (1977), “Wave-Packet Reduction as a Medium of Communication”, Foundations of Physics, 7, p. 759.
Everett III, H. (1957), “‘Relative States’ Formulations of Quantum Mechanics”, Reviews of Modern Physics, 29, p. 154.
Jammer, M. (1974), The Philosophy of Quantum Mechanics, Wiley, New York, p. 517.
De Witt, B.S. (1971), “The Many-Universes Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics”, in Foundations of Quantum Mechanics, Rendiconti SIF, IL, Academic Press, New York, p. 212. A critical discusion of Everett’s approach is contained also in G. Tarozzi (1985), “Teoria e strumento in microfisica”. Epistemologia, Vili, p. 83.
Bohm, D. and Bub, J. (1966), “A Proposed Solution of the Measurement Problem in Quantum Mechanics by a Hidden Variable Theory”, Reviews of Modern Physics, 38, p. 453.
Bohm, D. and Bub, J. ibidem, p. 457.
Agazzi, E. (1969), Filosofia della Fisica, Manfredi, Milano.
Einstein, A., Podoisky B., and Rosen, N. (1935), “Can Quantum-mechanical Description of Physical Reality Be Considered Complete?”, Physical Review. 47, p. 777.
Einstein, A., Podoisky B., and Rosen, N., Ibidem, p. 778.
Tarozzi, G. (1981), “Local Realism and Bell’s Theorem Without the Hidden Variables Hypothesis”,Atti dell Accademia delle Scienze di Torino, 108, p. 119.
Selleri, F. and Tarozzi, G. (1980), “Is Clauser and Home’s Factorability a Necessary Requirement for a Probabilistic Local Theory?”, Lettere al Nuovo Cimento, 29, p. 533.
Selleri, F. and Tarozzi, G. (1983), “A Probabilistic Generalization of the Concept of Physical Reality”. Speculations in Science and Technology, 6, p. 55.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1988 Kluwer Academic Publishers
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Tarozzi, G. (1988). Probability and Determinism in Quantum Theory. In: Agazzi, E. (eds) Probability in the Sciences. Synthese Library, vol 201. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-3061-2_17
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-3061-2_17
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-010-7877-1
Online ISBN: 978-94-009-3061-2
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive