Experimental Metaphysics

Experimental Metaphysics is intended for theoretical physicists and philosophers of science and is devoted to fundamental issues in the quantum domain. The book presents a number of discussions of experiments, theoretical puzzles and alternative interpretations, and philosophical treatments of the metaphysical foundations of science and the way these throw a scientific light on metaphysics. Hence the title: `experimental metaphysics' is a term coined by Abner Shimony, to whom the book is dedicated.
This collection of 16 scientific and philosophical essays by leading physicists, philosophers and historians of science deals with current research and the most basic issues in quantum physics.

Texte du rabat

Experimental Metaphysics is intended for theoretical physicists and philosophers of science and is devoted to fundamental issues in the quantum domain. The book presents a number of discussions of experiments, theoretical puzzles and alternative interpretations, and philosophical treatments of the metaphysical foundations of science and the way these throw a scientific light on metaphysics. Hence the title: `experimental metaphysics' is a term coined by Abner Shimony, to whom the book is dedicated. This collection of 16 scientific and philosophical essays by leading physicists, philosophers and historians of science deals with current research and the most basic issues in quantum physics.

Contenu

Preface; M. Horne. De Broglie-Wave Interference of Small Rocks and Live Viruses; J.P. Clauser. It is the Theory which Decides What we can Observe; J.T. Cushing. Bohmian Mechanics and the Meaning of the Wave Function; D. Durr, et al. The Model of F. Karolyhazy and the Desiderata of A. Shimony for a Modified Quantum Dynamics; A. Frenkel. A Bell Inequality Experiment Based on Molecular Dissociation - Extension of the Lo-Shimony Proposal to 199Hg (Nuclear Spin 1/2) Dimers; E.S. Fry, T. Walther. Quantum State Diffusion: From Foundations to Applications; N. Gisin, I.C. Percival. A More Proper Role for Proper Time in Physics? D.M. Greenberger. Two-Particle Diffraction; M. Horne. Quantum Beam Tomography; S.H. Kienle, et al. Evidence for the Failure of Local Realism Based on the Hardy-Jordan Approach; L. Mandel. Tales and Tails and Stuff and Nonsense; P. Pearle. The Itô Formalism and Stochastic Modifications of Quantum Dynamics; S. Sarkar. The Metaphysics of Science at the End of a Heroic Age; S.S. Schweber. Two-Photon `Ghost' Image and Interference-Diffraction; Y.H. Shih, et al. The Reasonable Effectiveness of Mathematics in the Natural Sciences; L. Tisza. Towards a Long-Distance Bell-Experiment with Independent Observers; G. Weihs, et al.