Is Our Understanding of Gravity and Quantum Mechanics Incomplete?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the completeness of our understanding of gravity and quantum mechanics, focusing on the limitations of current theories in explaining the underlying principles and "why" questions associated with quantum phenomena. The scope includes philosophical implications, theoretical interpretations, and the predictive capabilities of quantum mechanics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that while quantum mechanics is strong in predictive accuracy, it fails to explain the underlying reasons and mechanisms, raising questions about its completeness.
  • Others argue that the predictive nature of quantum theory is its primary strength, questioning whether specific examples are being overlooked.
  • One participant mentions that physical theories can only predict outcomes and that philosophical inquiries about "why" are often outside the scope of scientific models.
  • There is a sentiment that quantum mechanics may be perceived as lacking in certain aspects, similar to historical views on Newtonian gravity, although this notion is challenged as being too vague.
  • Another participant emphasizes that all theories likely have limitations, and the challenge lies in identifying what those limitations are.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of agreement and disagreement regarding the completeness of quantum mechanics and gravity. While there is a consensus that theories have limitations, the nature of those limitations and the implications for understanding remain contested.

Contextual Notes

Some participants highlight the philosophical dimensions of scientific inquiry, noting that questions about "why" may not be adequately addressed by current models. There is also mention of the challenge in articulating specific shortcomings in quantum mechanics.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those exploring the philosophical implications of scientific theories, the limitations of quantum mechanics, and the ongoing debates in theoretical physics.

fellupahill
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Seems like our general idea on the quantum level stops at predicting with great accuracy. The why, and hows seem to still evade us. Is my ideas accurate?
 
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Accurate - don't think so. Current quantum theory is strongest on it's predictive ability.
Perhaps you are thinking of a particular example?
 


fellupahill said:
Seems like our general idea on the quantum level stops at predicting with great accuracy. The why, and hows seem to still evade us. Is my ideas accurate?

That is all that a physical theory can ever do. Feynman says it better then I can...
 
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Ah that's a thought - I read that to mean that it does not predict with great accuracy.
Sure - the quantum models are good at predicting the numbers we get but do not do much to tell us how the Universe arrives at those numbers.

It is a philosophical point that the other models don't do this either.
I like Feynman's "Mayan" examples illustrating the danger of trying to interpret the models ... "it's got a 22 in it and 22 is a lucky number..."

QED let's us answer questions like: "how much light do we expect at point P" but won't tell us how those particular photons got there now we have detected them, but it can provide some insight into how photons may have got there in different circumstances.

That's statistics for you.

The "why" questions tend not to get answered in science much at all - that would be philosophy.
 


It just seems to me that QM is lacking in something, the way Newtons ideas of gravity was lacking. If that makes sense.
 


No it doesn't. "lacking something" is too vague to have any meaning. It's like there is a Je ne sais quoi about it.
 


Erm.. I don't get what you are trying to say. All theories are likely lacking something, the problem is finding what.
 


Yeh - there are not a lot of certainties in this Universe but one of them is that our theories are lacking in some way. We do not actually know everything ...
 

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