Skip to main content

Epistemic and Ontic Quantum Realities

  • Chapter
Time, Quantum and Information

Abstract

Quantum theory has provoked intense discussions about its interpretation since its pioneer days. One of the few scientists who have been continuously engaged in this development from both physical and philosophical perspectives is Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker [44]. The questions he posed were and are inspiring for many, including the authors of this contribution. Weizsäcker developed Bohr’s view of quantum theory as a theory of knowledge. We show that such an epistemic perspective can be consistently complemented by Einstein’s ontically oriented position.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. H. Atmanspacher and F. Kronz: Relative onticity. In: H. Atmanspacher, A. Amann and U. Müller-Herold (eds.): On Quanta, Mind and Matter. Kluwer, Dordrecht 1999, pp. 273–294

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  2. J.S. Bell: On wave packet reduction in the Coleman—Hepp model. Helvetica Physica Acta 48, 93–98 (1975)

    MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  3. S.K. Berberian: Notes on Spectral Theory. Van Nostrand, Princeton 1966

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  4. G.D. Birkhoff: Proof of the ergodic theorem. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 17, 656–660 (1931)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  5. N. Bohr: Discussion with Einstein on epistemological problems in atomic physics. In: P.A. Schilpp (ed.): Albert Einstein: Philosopher—Scientist. Library of Living Philosophers, Evanston, Illinois 1949, pp. 199–241

    Google Scholar 

  6. O. Bratteli and D.W. Robinson: Operator Algebras and Quantum Statistical Mechanics. L C- and 6V-Algebras, Symmetry Groups, Decomposition of States. 2nd edn. Springer, New York 1987

    Google Scholar 

  7. A. Burri: Hilary Putnam. Campus Verlag, Frankfurt 1994

    Google Scholar 

  8. P.A.M. Dirac: On the theory of quantum mechanics. Proceedings of the Royal Society (London) AI 12, 661–677 (1926)

    Google Scholar 

  9. A. Einstein: Autobiographical notes. In: P.A. Schilpp (ed.): Albert Einstein: Philosopher—Scientist. Library of Living Philosophers, Evanston, Illinois 1949, pp. 1–95

    Google Scholar 

  10. A. Einstein: Reply to criticism. In: P.A. Schilpp (ed.): Albert Einstein: Philosopher—Scientist. Library of Living Philosophers, Evanston, Illinois 1949, pp. 665–688

    Google Scholar 

  11. J.H. Fetzer and R.F. Almeder: Glossary of Epistemology/Philosophy of Science. Paragon House, New York 1993

    Google Scholar 

  12. R.F. Gibson: Quine, Willard Van Orman. In: J. Kim and E. Sosa (eds.): A Companion to Metaphysics, pp. 426–428. Blackwell, Oxford 1995

    Google Scholar 

  13. A.M. Gleason: Measures on the closed subspaces of a Hilbert space. Journal of Mathematics and Mechanics 6, 885–893 (1957)

    MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  14. K. Hepp: Quantum theory of measurement and macroscopic observables. Helvetica Physica Acta 45, 237–248 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  15. A.S. Holevo: On the mathematical theory of quantum communication channels. Problems of Information Transmission 8, 47–54 (1972)

    MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  16. A.S. Holevo: On the mathematical theory of quantum communication channels. Problemy Peredadi Informacii 8, 63–71 (1972)

    MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  17. R.V. Kadison: Transformations of states in operator theory and dynamics. Topology 3, Suppl. 2, 177–198 (1965)

    MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  18. S. Kochen and E.P. Specker: Logical structures arising in quantum theory. In: J. Addison, L. Henkin and A. Tarski (eds.): The Theory of Models. North Holland, Amsterdam 1965

    Google Scholar 

  19. S. Kochen and E.P. Specker: The problem of hidden variables in quantum mechanics. Journal of Mathematics and Mechanics 17, 59–88 (1967)

    MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  20. B.O. Koopman: Hamiltonian systems and transformations in Hilbert space. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 17, 315–318 (1931)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  21. L.J. Landau: On the violation of Bell’s inequality in quantum theory. Physics Letters A 120, 54–56 (1987)

    Google Scholar 

  22. L.J. Landau: Experimental tests of general quantum theories. Letters in Mathematical Physics 14, 33–40 (1987)

    Article  ADS  MATH  Google Scholar 

  23. C.M. Lockhart and B. Misra: Irreversibility and measurement in quantum mechanics. PhysicaA 136, 47–76 (1986)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  24. G.W. Mackey: The Mathematical Foundations of Quantum Mechanics. Benjamin, New York 1963

    Google Scholar 

  25. B. Misra: When can hidden variables be excluded in quantum mechanics? Nuovo Cimento 47 A, 841–859 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  26. U. Müller-Herold: Disjointness of ß-KMS states with different chemical potential. Letters in Mathematical Physics 4, 45–88 (1980)

    Article  ADS  MATH  Google Scholar 

  27. J. von Neumann: Die Eindeutigkeit der Schrödingerschen Operatoren. Mathematische Annalen 104, 570–578 (1931)

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  28. J. von Neumann: Mathematische Grundlagen der Quantenmechanik. Springer, Berlin 1932

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  29. A. Petersen: The philosophy of Niels Bohr. Bulletin of the Atomic Scientist 19, No. 7, 8–14 (1963)

    Google Scholar 

  30. H. Primas: The representation of facts in physical theories. In: H. Atmanspacher and E. Ruhnau (eds.): Time, Temporality, Now. Springer, Berlin 1997, pp. 241–263

    Google Scholar 

  31. H. Primas: Emergence in exact natural science. Acta Polytechnica Scandinavica Ma 91, 83–98 (1998)

    MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  32. H. Primas: Asymptotically disjoint quantum states. In: P. Blanchard, D. Giulini, E. Joos, C. Kiefer and I.-O. Stamatescu (eds.): Decoherence: Theoretical, Experimental, and Conceptual Problems. Springer, Berlin 2000, pp. 161–178

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  33. H. Putnam: Reason, Truth and History. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge 1981

    Book  Google Scholar 

  34. H. Putnam: The Many Faces of Realism. Open Court, La Salle 1987

    Google Scholar 

  35. W.V. Quine: Ontological relativity. In: W.V. Quine (ed.): Ontological Relativity and Other Essays. Columbia University Press,New York 1969, pp. 26–68

    Google Scholar 

  36. J.E. Roberts and G. Roepstorff: Some basic concepts of algebraic quantum theory. Communications in Mathematical Physics 11, 321–338 (1969)

    Article  MathSciNet  ADS  MATH  Google Scholar 

  37. E. Scheibe: Die kontingenten Aussagen in der Physik. Athenäum Verlag, Frankfurt 1964

    Google Scholar 

  38. E. Scheibe: The Logical Analysis of Quantum Mechanics. Pergamon Press, Oxford 1973

    Google Scholar 

  39. E. Schrödinger: Die gegenwärtige Situation in der Quantenmechanik. Naturwissenschaften 23, 807–812 (1935)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  40. E. Schrödinger: Die gegenwärtige Situation in der Quantenmechanik. Naturwissenschaften 23, 823–828 (1935)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  41. E. Schrödinger: Die gegenwärtige Situation in der Quantenmechanik. Naturwissenschaften 23, 844–849 (1935)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  42. M.H. Stone: Linear transformations in Hilbert space. III. Operational methods and group theory. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 16, 172–175 (1930)

    Article  ADS  MATH  Google Scholar 

  43. M.H. Stone: Postulates for the barycentric calculus. Annali di Matematica Pura ed Applicata 29, 25–30 (1949)

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  44. M. Takesaki: Disjointness of the KMS states of different temperatures. Communications in Mathematical Physics 17, 33–41 (1970)

    Article  MathSciNet  ADS  Google Scholar 

  45. M. Takesaki: Theory of Operator Algebras I. Springer, New York 1979

    Book  MATH  Google Scholar 

  46. L.C. Thomas: A note on quantising Kolmogorov systems. Annales de l’Institut Henri Poincaré, Physique théorique A 21, 77–79 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  47. C.F. von Weizsäcker: Aufbau der Physik. Hanser Verlag, München 1985

    Google Scholar 

  48. H. Weyl: Symmetry. Princeton University Press, Princeton 1952

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  49. N. Wiener: Generalized harmonic analysis. Acta Mathematica 55, 117–258 (1930)

    Article  MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2003 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Atmanspacher, H., Primas, H. (2003). Epistemic and Ontic Quantum Realities. In: Castell, L., Ischebeck, O. (eds) Time, Quantum and Information. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-10557-3_20

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-10557-3_20

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-07892-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-662-10557-3

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics