Abstract
It is argued that the correct answer to the three questions in the title is “no”: that the theses being denied derive from traditional philosophy, not from the way the quantum theories are used. For example, the calculation of the energy spectrum of an atom assumes the autonomous existence of the atom, rather than its dependence upon the observer. However, it is also suggested that the problem has been unnecessarily complicated by a careless use of the terms ‘realism’, ‘materialism’, and ‘determinism’. Precise definitions of these words are proposed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bohr, N. (1934). Atomic theory and the description of nature. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Born, M. (1953). Physical reality. Philosophical Quarterly, 3, 139–149.
Bunge, M. (1959a). Causality: The place of the causal principle in modern science. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
Bunge, M. (1959b). Metascientific queries. Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas.
Bunge, M. (1967). Foundations of physics. Berlin, Heidelberg, New York: Springer.
Bunge, M. (1973). Philosophy of physics. Dordrecht: Reidel (Springer).
Bunge, M. (1979). The Einstein–Bohr debate over quantum mechanics: Who was right about what? Lecture Notes in Physics, 100, 204–219.
Bunge, M. (1985). Treatise on basic philosophy (Vol. 7). Dordrecht: Reidel (Springer).
Bunge, M. (1989). The Bell inequalities and all that. Philosophia Naturalis, 26, 121–134.
Bunge, M. (2010). Matter and mind. London: Springer.
Cini, M. (1985). Quantum theory of measurement without wave packet collapse. Nuovo Cimento, 73B, 27–56.
Einstein, A., Podolsky, B., & Rosen, N. (1935). Can the quantum-mechanical description of physical reality be considered complete? Physical Review, 47, 777–780.
Galilei, G. 1953 (1623). Il Saggiatore. In F. Flora (Ed.), Opere. Milano-Napoli: Riccardo Ricciardi.
Hawking, S., & Mlodinow, L. (2010). The grand design. New York: Bantam.
Heisenberg, W. (1958). Physics and philosophy. New York: Harper & Brothers.
Henry, R. C. (2005). The mental universe. Nature, 436, 29.
Mahner, M. (Ed.). (2001). Scientific realism: Selected essays by Mario Bunge. Amherst, NY: Prometheus Books.
Mermin, N. D. (1981). Quantum mysteries for anyone. Journal of Philosophy, 78, 397–408.
Mosterín, J. (2006). La naturaleza humana. Madrid: Espasa Calpe.
Omnès, R. 1999 (1994). Quantum philosophy. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.
Pauli, W. (1961). Aufsätze und Vorträge über Physik und Erkenntnistheorie. Braunschweig: Vieweg & Sohn.
Schlosshauer, M. (2007). Decoherence and the quantum-to-classical transition. Berlin, Heidelberg, New York: Springer.
Strawson, G. (2008). Real materialism and other essays. New York: Oxford University Press.
Zeilinger, A. (2010). Dance of the photons: From Einstein to quantum teleportation. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bunge, M. Does Quantum Physics Refute Realism, Materialism and Determinism?. Sci & Educ 21, 1601–1610 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11191-011-9410-z
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11191-011-9410-z