There was a problem loading your book clubs. It has been a great pleasure to read that book by F. Laloë. In contrast, I think this strategy may be the weakest trait of the book; this may just be a question of personal taste, but I always find that "neutral" books like this one leave something to be desired. Help others learn more about this product by uploading a video! How can one discuss, say, the notion of measurement in quantum mechanics in general? We spoke to Kakalios about his new book, what quantum mechanics has made possible, and how early sci-fi visions of the future compare with the present as we know it. Brief content visible, double tap to read full content. Quantum particles follow a different set of laws—laws which, to date, we still do not fully understand. Not having a clear grasp of its foundations, writes Laloë, makes quantum mechanics a "colossus with feet of clay" (p. xi): how can we properly understand the theory and its implications if we do not understand what it is grounded on? Chapters 4 and 5 are dedicated to Bell's theorem and nonlocality. However, it is difficult to interpret, and philosophical contradictions and counterintuitive results are apparent at a fundamental level. Nature doesn’t need the theory of quantum mechanics. For instance, when the discussion focuses on the attempts to bypass the conclusion of Bell's theorem, Laloë's treatment of the strategies based on the free will assumption, contextuality and counterfactuality is maybe more charitable than needed and sounds a little artificial. Unable to add item to List. The emphasis is put on the very special correlations that this theory makes possible: They are forbidden by very general arguments based on realism and local causality. The following chapter is dedicated to the many applications of entanglement: from quantum cryptography to teleportation, from quantum computation, quantum gates and quantum algorithms to quantum error correction codes. In other words, how can we make a theory of measurement without a clear understanding of the "interpretation" of the formalism? Quantum mechanics impacts on many areas of physics from pure theory to applications. [Franck Laloë] -- "Quantum mechanics is a very successful theory that has impacted on many areas of physics, from pure theory to applications. How can we decide what is being measured if we don't already have a clear idea what the ontology of the theory is? If we leave the question of ontology at the end, one may be led to believe that all theories have the same problems simply because they have the same -- or similar -- mathematics (the state vector, the Schrödinger equation and so on), and this would be a mistake. You are listening to a sample of the Audible narration for this Kindle book. Numerous quantum mechanics textbooks are available for explaining quantum formalism and applying it to understand problems such as the properties of atoms, molecules, liquids, and solids; the interactions between matter and radiation; and Sometimes the treatment is a bit light, and I disagree with F. Laloë when he affirms that Everett Many-worlds interpretation remains non-local. - Kindle edition by Laloë, Franck. Gives an overview of the quantum theory and its main interpretations. There's a problem loading this menu right now. The book is so dense and full of interesting ideas that many comments could be made. also by this author. Do we even understand quantum mechanics? He starts off with the (commonsensical but vague) pragmatist approach, continues with the statistical interpretation (the view that the quantum description only applies to ensembles), moves to Rovelli's relational interpretation (the state vector depends on the observer), to the algebraic approaches and quantum logic, continues with d'Espagnat's veiled reality interpretation (according to which reality is only marginally accessible to us). This article presents a general discussion of several aspects of our present understanding of quantum mechanics. In this book, Laloë presents our current understanding of the theory. It remains a very good introduction to the subject though. Do We Really Understand Quantum Mechanics? Laloë wants to provide a balanced and comprehensive view of the foundations of quantum mechanics; he does not want to give preference to one interpretation or another, to one strategy to another, but rather he wishes to analyze how each of them relate to one another and what their mutual relations and differences are. is a fine book that provides the reader with excellent discussions of the physical issues most clearly pertaining to the 123 Do we really understand quantum mechanics? But such a book is totally useless if one wishes to get a realist picture of the quantum world since it totally ignores the conceptual problems that plague the foundations of quantum mechanics. The book is ideal for researchers in physics and mathematics who want to know more about the problems faced in quantum mechanics but who do not have specialist knowledge in the subject. Then you can start reading Kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required. In this regard, two extreme positions are analyzed: first, the view that the state vector describes the physical properties of a system, and second the view that the state vector represents just the information that an observer has about the system. The second edition includes recent state-of-the-art research, new interpretations, and further references. In other words, taking a particular view to be the case will have consequences: in particular, one view will lead to certain problems, another view to others. Do we really need another book on quantum mechanics? The emphasis is put on the very special correlations that this theory makes possible: they are forbidden by very general arguments based on realism and local causality. Quantum mechanics is a very successful theory that has impacted on many areas of physics, from pure theory to applications. [ … But if instead another "interpretation" is believed to be the correct one, the importance and the role of measurement in this theory will be fundamentally different than in the previous one. Read reviews from world’s largest community for readers. Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2016, laloe is very good physicist and his book is excellent as well. Quantum mechanics is a very successful theory that has impacted on many areas of physics, from pure theory to applications. Quantum mechanics deals with the study of particles at the atomic and subatomic levels. Quantum mechanics is a very successful theory that has impacted on many areas of physics, from pure theory to applications. Apart from the terminological point, it seems to me that only once a theory is chosen can one then discuss what concepts are relevant and what problems need to be addressed within the context of that theory. After a comprehensive and detailed analysis of hidden variables theories like Bohmian and Nelson mechanics, the book continues with a discussion of the modal interpretations, the Schrödinger dynamics of Ghirardi, Rimini, Weber (GRW) and Pearle, Cramer's transactional interpretation (a view which in certain respects reminds one of the Wheeler-Feynman electromagnetic absorber theory), the history interpretations and concludes with the Everett interpretation. Read with the free Kindle apps (available on iOS, Android, PC & Mac), Kindle E-readers and on Fire Tablet devices. Do We Really Understand Quantum Mechanics? It examines the various interpretations that have been proposed, describing and comparing them and discussing their success and difficulties. In this review, though, I wish to primarily discuss the main strategy the author uses. The author uses many nice illustrative examples to clarify the main premises, the logic and the conclusion of the EPR argument, making the chapter an incredible resource for both physicists and philosophers. His goal is explicitly to understand the foundations of quantum theory which also, by his admission, is something that has been neglected in the majority of traditional physics books on the topic. But unlike gravity, electromagnetism could be combined with quantum theory to create a fully quantum model known as quantum electrodynamics (QED). Abstract This article presents a general discussion of several aspects of our present understanding of quantum mechanics. The premises of the theorem and the the logic of the argument are made extremely clear and straightforward, something rarely found in the literature. The quote, exact words, "If you think you understand quantum mechanics, you don't understand quantum mechanics." Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free. Do we even understand quantum mechanics? However, it is difficult to … Redemption links and eBooks cannot be resold. However, it is difficult to interpret, and philosophical contradictions and counterintuitive results are apparent at a fundamental level. While this approach is extremely valuable in making the conceptual problems crystal clear, its danger is that the philosopher, when confronted with particularly challenging technical material, might still be unable to get around it and arrive at the correct conclusions without being obfuscated by the mathematical detail. Reviewed by Valia Allori, Northern Illinois University. Cambridge University Press; 1st edition (August 30, 2012), Up to 4 simultaneous devices, per publisher limits. A simple and clear explanation of all the important features of quantum physics that you need to know. The book has eleven Chapters and several appendices, through which the author goes from the history of quantum mechanics to its interpretations, passing through the Schrödinger cat, the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen (EPR) paradox and Bell's theorem; quantum entanglement and its application; and a solid mathematical introduction. in quantum mechanics.These laws are important and powerful to predict the development of one or two particles,especially we can follow exactly the time-evolution if we know the initial conditions.But,the most important thing we care is of course the dynamics for our system or particles. Uncertainty Study the uncertainty principle. Assuming that I have the means to understand and judge the material independently (which this book is able to provide), I'd rather read a heavily opinionated and provocative book than one in which all the options are stated with an impartial and unbiased attitude. ISSN: 1538 - 1617 His argument there is quite short on this, and, in my opinion, non valid. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. The 13-digit and 10-digit formats both work. The book concludes with a comprehensive and clear mathematical review of the various elements of quantum mechanics. "… a good addition to the existing literature on the topic. Also: "it didn't take long before it became clear that the completely undulatory theory of matter also suffered of serious difficulties, actually so serious that physicists were soon led to abandon it." The original author, J. J. Sakurai, was a renowned particle theorist. For instance, if one thinks that Bohr's theory is correct, then the notion of measurement will be a crucial part of quantum mechanics. Finally chapter 10 addresses the issue of the "interpretations," as Laloë (like many others) calls them. Intelligent Thinking: Overcome Thinking Errors, Learn Advanced Techniques to Think ... Alfred Nobel: A Life from Beginning to End (Biographies of Inventors). Previous page of related Sponsored Products, "This book may well change our perception of life itself!" Because of this, it has inevitably attracted many writers, both physicists and philosophers. - Readers' Favorite. Give as a gift or purchase for a team or group. He is co-author of Quantum Mechanics, with Claude Cohen-Tannoudji and Bernard Diu, one of the best known textbooks on advanced quantum mechanics. This item has a maximum order quantity limit. Be that as it may, chapter 2 correctly and exhaustively discusses the fundamental conceptual difficulties of quantum theory (from the Schrödinger cat, to Wigner's friend, to the role of decoherence), while chapter 3 is a very informative presentation of the EPR "paradox." Please try again. In this book, Laloë presents our current understanding of the theory. . However, it is difficult to interpret, and philosophical contradictions and counterintuitive results are apparent at a fundamental level. Charles Darwin: A Life From Beginning to End (Biographies of Biologists Book 1), Michael Faraday: A Life From Beginning to End (Biographies of Inventors). Nature doesn’t need the theory of quantum mechanics. They have grown out of a lecture the senior author presented … Copyright © 2021 Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews As Einstein once reminded us, it is the theory that decides what is being measured. I learned Quantum Mechanics years ago in his very good textbook written with C. Cohen-Tannoudji and B.Diu, and it is always a pleasure when people acknowledge the serious philosophical or conceptual difficulties met with quantum physics. The primary challenge is that according to the equations of QM, all particles exist in a state of superposition. Laloë's book seems no exception to this rule. The discussion is so complete that the author even covers some of the attempts to bypass Bell's conclusion that reality is nonlocal, discussing the so-called "free will," "counterfactuality" and "contextuality" assumptions. "If you think you understand quantum mechanics, you don't understand quantum mechanics." Learn more. It's purpose is to make the ideas of quantum mechanics known and understood and I must say, it does a phenomenal job doing so! Contemplate the non-measurable trends, such as non-locality and indeterminism of particles. While his reasons for rejecting the latter view are the traditional ones and therefore not controversial, in my opinion his reasons for rejecting the former are too hasty. On the one hand we find technical books (for instance Sakurai, or Messiah), while on the other we have introductory books (Albert, Maudlin, and Ghirardi). Additional gift options are available when buying one eBook at a time. Because of this, it has inevitably attracted many writers, both physicists and philosophers. So, hasn't enough ink been spilled about the subject already? Quantum mechanics is the science that studies phenomena from the point of view of the totality of possibilities. ABSTRACT This article presents a general discussion of several aspects of our present understanding of quantum mechanics. Though the theory works to provide accurate predictions of phenomena at the subatomic scales, there is no real understanding of why it works, what it really means or what implications it has for our world picture. There was an error retrieving your Wish Lists. Indeed, I find it misleading that these alternatives are actually called "interpretations"; each of them provides a distinctive picture of reality and because of this each of them should be called "theory" instead of "interpretation." 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