Niels Bohr and the Philosophy of Physics: Twenty-First-Century Perspectives

Description

Niels Bohr and Philosophy of Physics: Twenty-First Century Perspectives examines the philosophical views, influences and legacy of the Nobel Prize physicist and philosophical spokesman of the quantum revolution, Niels Bohr. The sixteen contributions in this collection by some of the best contemporary philosophers and physicists writing on Bohr's philosophy today all carefully distinguish his subtle and unique interpretation of quantum mechanics from views often imputed to him under the banner of the "Copenhagen Interpretation." With respect to philosophical influences on Bohr's outlook, the contributors analyse prominent similarities between his viewpoint and Kantian ways of thinking, the views of the Danish philosopher Harald Hoffding, and themes characteristic of American pragmatism. In recognizing the importance of Bohr's epistemological naturalism they examine his defence of the indispensability of classical concepts from a variety of different perspectives. This collection shows us that Bohr's interpretation of quantum mechanics, now nearly a century old, still has the power to shed light on a variety of issues that have arisen only since his lifetime, as well as decoherence theory and other non-collapse interpretations. Balancing historical themes with contemporary discussions, Niels Bohr and the Philosophy of Physics establishes Bohr's on-going contribution to the philosophy of physics and examines his place in the history of philosophy.

Jan Faye is a philosopher of science at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark. Henry Folse is Professor Emeritus at Loyola University New Orleans, USA.

The richness of the book becomes evident to anyone who interacts with it, and it is useful for a wide audience. * MathSciNet * This is a handsome, well-edited, fascinating volume with a subject that is remarkable in at least two ways. Firstly, it is striking that now, even after a century, there should be so much to say about Bohr's interpretation of quantum mechanics ... The second remarkable thing is that Bohr's thinking, his explanations ... should feel so relevant. * Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews * Faye (Univ. of Copenhagen, Denmark) and Folse (emer., Loyola Univ.) provide a good introduction to Bohr's ideas. Contributors take up subjects ranging from Bohr as a pragmatist and holist to Bohr's empiricism and formalism ... The book includes copious notes and references, and only a few equations to unsettle those with math phobia. Summing Up: Recommended. Graduate students, researchers, faculty. * CHOICE * An important volume edited by two outstanding Bohr scholars, who also make perceptive contributions of their own. The excellent essays here bring perspectives on Bohr into the twenty-first century, both in terms of scholarship and in connection with current developments in the foundations of physics. A must read for anyone who wants to understand how the great debates in the early years of quantum physics relate to scientific and philosophical thinking today. -- Arthur Fine, Professor Emeritus, University of Washington, USA The thoughtful essays in this rich collection make clear that Niels Bohr's earnest, dogged efforts to grapple with the conceptual implications of quantum theory retain the power to inspire --- and provoke --- new generations of scholars. The essays look back to Bohr's own intellectual roots, even as they focus on still-open questions at the heart of quantum theory. Brimming with insights, this book will be of interest to physicists, philosophers, and historians of science. -- David Kaiser, Germeshausen Professor of the History of Science and Professor of Physics, MIT This book brings together the top historical, philosophical, and scientific experts on Niels Bohr. They approach the subject both critically and charitably, providing a fair assessment of Bohr's contributions to the foundations of quantum physics. This book represents the cutting edge in scholarship on Niels Bohr's lasting contributions to the foundations of physical science. Bohr's ideas about quantum physics are subtle, and frequently misunderstood; this book provides the clearest picture yet of what Bohr was saying, and of its relevance for the ongoing progress of physics. -- Hans Halvorson, Stuart Professor of Philosophy, Princeton University