Interpreting the Quantum World

by Jeffrey Bub

Overview

This is a book about the interpretation of quantum mechanics, in particular how to resolve the measurement problem introduced by the orthodox interpretation of the theory. The heart of the book is a new result that shows how to construct all possible "no collapse" interpretations, subject to certain natural constraints and the limitations imposed by the hidden variable theorems. From this perspective one sees precisely where things have gone awry and what the options are. Various interpretations, including Bohm's causal interpretation, Bohr's complementarity interpretation, and the modal interpretation are shown to be special cases of this result, for different choices of a "preferred" observable. A feature of the book is a novel treatment of the main hidden variable theorems, and an extended critique of contemporary "decoherence" theories of measurement. The discussion is self-contained and organized so that the technical portions may be skipped without losing the argument.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521653862
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	08/26/1999
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	308
Product dimensions:	6.85(w) x 9.72(h) x 0.71(d)

Table of Contents

Introduction; 1. From classical to quantum mechanics; 2. Bell's 'no-go' theorem; 3. The Kochen and Specker 'no-go' theorem; 4. The proof of interpretation; 5. Quantum mechanics without observers: I; 6. Quantum mechanics without observers: II; 7. Orthodoxy; 8. The new orthodoxy; Coda; Appendix: some methematical machinery.

Editorial Reviews

"In his powerful new book Bub clearly lays out the measurement problem faced by Dirac and von Neumann's interpretation of quantum mechanics....The book's first three chapters should be required reading for anyone wishing to get up to speed on contemporary discussions of the conceptual foundations of quantum mechanics." Physics Today

"The virtues Bub can claim are indisputable, and his achievement gives us a truly successful and illuminating way to understand quantum theory. The book is a must for everyone in the field." Foundations of Physics

"...Jeffrey Bub's authoritative book, Interpreting The Quantum World...consists of deep and detailed consideration of most, if not all, current thought in this area. Many technical results are described and proved in detail." Nature

"Bub's fine book will be a standard reference for many years." Choice

"The beauty of the book is its ability to discover a unified point of view that can encompass all of these disparate interpretations....insightful, incisive, and careful. This is a very good book for a philosopher or physicist deeply interested in the subject." American Journal of Physics

"This book must be seen as a milestone in the search for a coherent, generally acceptable understanding of the quantum world: there seems to be no other account providing a unified reconstruction and systematic assessment (from a realistic point of view) of all major interpretations of quantum mechanics. In making precise the central problems faced by these interpretations, this analysis will undoubtedly provide a source of inspiration..." Mathematical Reviews Clippings

From the Publisher