Author	Mehra, Jagdish. author
Title	The Quantum Principle: Its Interpretation and Epistemology [electronic resource] / by Jagdish Mehra
Imprint	Dordrecht : Springer Netherlands, 1974
Connect to	http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-2234-7
Descript	139 p. online resource

This study deals with the development of, and the current discussion about, the interpretation of quantum mechanics. The following topics are discussed: 1. The Copenhagen Inยญ terpretation; 2. Formal Problems of Quantum Mechanics; 3. Process of Measurement and the Equation of Motion; 4. Macroscopic Level of Description; 5. Search for Hidden Variables; 6. The Notion of 'Reality' and the Epistemology of Quantum Mechanics; and 7. Quantum Mechanics and the Explanation of Life. The Bohr-Einstein dialogue on the validity of the quanยญ tum mechanical description of physical reality lasted over two decades. Since the early nineteen-fifties, Eugene Wigner has provided much of the point and counterpoint of the continuing discussion on the interpretation and epistemoloยญ gy of quantum mechanics. We have explored Wigner's views in some detail against the background of historical developยญ ment and current debate. Professor Eugene Wigner has sustained me over many years in my work on the conceptual development of modยญ ern physics by his kindness and encouragement. This study owes its existence to his direct inspiration, and to his suggestion to me in April 1971 that it would be of interest to write an account of the interpretation of quantum meยญ chanics and the current discussion about it. XII PREFACE This study was completed in September 1972. Signifiยญ cant new developments have occurred since then in the disยญ cussion of questions related to the epistemology of quanยญ tum mechanics

1. Introduction -- 2. The Copenhagen Interpretation -- 3. Formal Problems of the Quantum Mechanical Scheme -- 3.1. Formal Problems in Nonrelativistic Quantum Theory -- 3.2. Formal Problems in Relativistic Quantum Theory -- 4. Theory of Measurement and the Equation of Motion -- 4.1. The Formal Scheme of Quantum Mechanics -- 4.2. Quantum Theory as the Theory of Observations -- 4.3. Quantum Theory without Quantum Jumps -- 4.4. Indeterminate State Vector of the Apparatus -- 5. Transition to the Macroscopic World -- 5.1. Complementarity -- 5.2. Statistical Description -- 5.3. Probability in Quantum Physics -- 5.4. Macrophysical Description -- 5.5. Measurement as the Increase of Information -- 5.6. Extension of Von Neumannโ{128}{153}s View -- 5.7. Microphysics, Macrophysics and Dissipation -- 6. Hidden Variables -- 6.1. Substratum as a Solution of Divergences in Quantum Field Theory -- 6.2. Von Neumannโ{128}{153}s Proof of the Nonexistence of Hidden Variables -- 6.3. Bellโ{128}{153}s Local Hidden Variables -- 6.4. The Hidden-Variable Model of Bohm and Bub -- 7. The Notion of โ{128}{152}Realityโ{128}{153} and the Epistemology of Quantum Mechanics -- 7.1. Description of Reality -- 7.2. The Complementary Description -- 7.3. The โ{128}{152}Positivisticโ{128}{153} Point of View or Two Kinds of Reality -- 7.4. The Collectivistic-Materialistic View -- 7.5. Can a System Be Isolated? -- 8. Quantum Mechanics and the Explanation of Life -- 8.1. The Mind-Body Problem -- 8.2. Complementary Hierarchies -- 8.3. The Totality View of Life -- 8.4. Structure, Dissipation and Life -- 8.5. Are We Machines? -- References and Notes