Philosophy and Logic of Quantum Physics

The book investigates the ontology and logic of quantum physics. The first part discusses the relationship of theory and observation and different views on the ontological status of scientific theories. It introduces the fundamentals of quantum mechanics and some of its interpretations and their compatibility with various ontological positions. In the second part, implications of quantum mechanics on classical logic, especially on the distributive law and bivalence, as discussed by Garrett Birkhoff & John von Neumann (1936) and Hilary Putnam (1968), and their counterarguments are reconstructed and discussed. It is concluded that classical logic is sufficient for dealing with quantum mechanical propositions.

Table of Contents

Part 1: Theory and Observation in Quantum Physics

1. Introduction

Part I. Theory and Observation

2. The Relationship between Theory and Observation

3. Classification of Terms and Sentences

4. Theory (In-)dependence

5. Ontological Status of Scientific Theories

Part II. Basics of Quantum Physics

6. The Classical Picture of the World

7. Experimental Basis of Quantum Physics

8. The Quantum Explanation

9. No-go Theorems

10. Interpretations

Part III. Reflections on Quantum Physics

11. Theory and Observation in Quantum Physics

12. Is Quantum Physics Acceptable?

13. Ontology of Quantum Physics

14. Conclusion

References

Part 2: Quantum Logic

Introduction

1. Fundamentals of Classical Logic and Quantum Mechanics

2. Quantum logic and the distributive law

3. Meaning and bivalence in Putnam’s quantum logical system

4. Conclusion

About the Author

Jan Philipp Dapprich studied physics and philosophy at Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf.

Annika Schuster studied philosophy at Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf.