Nobody understands quantum physics?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the interpretation of Richard Feynman's remark that "nobody understands quantum mechanics." Participants explore the implications of this statement, contrasting quantum mechanics (QM) with classical mechanics, and delve into the complexities and interpretations of quantum theory.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that Feynman's remark highlights a fundamental difference in understanding between quantum mechanics and classical mechanics, where QM does not assign values to observables in the absence of measurement.
  • Others argue that QM is well-understood and rigorously tested, asserting that its "weirdness" is a reflection of its robustness rather than a lack of understanding.
  • One participant points out that while QM may be seen as counterintuitive, it provides a better fit for observed phenomena compared to classical physics.
  • There is a discussion about the historical context of understanding quantum theory, with references to the evolution of electrodynamics and the ongoing debates surrounding the measurement problem and interpretations of QM.
  • Some participants propose that the classical world emerges from quantum theory through a process of coarse graining, while others emphasize the relevance of minimal interpretations for practical applications in physics and engineering.
  • The potential need for a quantum theory of gravity is raised, questioning whether the complexities of quantum mechanics should extend to gravitational phenomena.
  • Feynman's principles of quantum mechanics are cited, emphasizing the probabilistic nature of quantum events and the lack of a deeper explanatory mechanism behind these laws.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express multiple competing views regarding the understanding of quantum mechanics, with no consensus reached on whether Feynman's remark reflects a genuine lack of understanding or if QM is sufficiently understood within its framework.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the interpretations of quantum theory are diverse and that the discussion includes unresolved issues such as the measurement problem and the implications of quantum mechanics for gravity.

  • #271
vanhees71 said:
but there's no hint at the claimed dichotomy between a classical and a quantum world.

absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.
 
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  • #272
physika said:
absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.
In a Bayesian sense that depends on your expectations :P
 
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  • #273
physika said:
absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.
If this is strictly correct then there is no inductive scientific method. A scientific hypothesis is accepted because of ongoing absence of any evidence it is not true. This assumes the hypothesis is not a "Pauli"= not even wrong
 
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  • #274
hutchphd said:
If this is strictly correct then there is no inductive scientific method.
This is Poppers view. Which is why his focus is on corroboration only. I do not like Popper at all. He sweeps the interesting part under the rug just because it is not deductive. But life does not progress in a deductive manner neither i think is learning or natural science. I think Popper just refused to acccept or get to peace with this.

/Fredrik
 
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  • #275
What does "corroboration only" mean? I know very little formal philosophy although Karl Popper makes perfect sense to me.
 
  • #276
hutchphd said:
If this ["absence of evidence is not evidence of absence"] is strictly correct then there is no inductive scientific method. A scientific hypothesis is accepted because of ongoing absence of any evidence it is not true. This assumes the hypothesis is not a "Pauli"= not even wrong
A scientific hypothesis may be "accepted" for as long as it is not contradicted and competes well in the "Occam's Razor" test. But Newtonian physics is "accepted" as a practical engineering tool for most human endeavors - even though it has been contradicted.

In hard science, there is no firm universal notion of "accepted". All hypothesis are subject to continuous reevaluation. There are pragmatic social reasons to declare something "text book ready", but the processes of science development provide no natural resting spots.
 
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  • #277
Fra said:
This is Poppers view. Which is why his focus is on corroboration only. I do not like Popper at all. He sweeps the interesting part under the rug just because it is not deductive. But life does not progress in a deductive manner neither i think is learning or natural science. I think Popper just refused to acccept or get to peace with this.
How much do you know of Popper's own view and motivations? Are you sure that you won't end up with a similar realization as me
For me, it was the opposite. This interview has significantly increased my respect for Deutsch, and also for Popper. It slightly decreased my respect for my own background in philosophy, with respect to what I have read, what I haven’t read, and what I didn’t even plan to read.
when you will come across explainations of Popper's actual motivations? Or will you be so blinded by his objections to Bayesianism that you won't be able to see the genius of his solution of how to overcome the circularity of induction?
Popper realised that the problem of induction actually implies that there's no such thing as justified knowledge in the first place, and that we do not need knowledge to be justified in order to use it.

There is no process of justifying a theory. So theories, according to Popper, are always conjecture, and thinking about theories is always criticism. It's never a justificatory process. It's always a critical process.
 
  • #278
Is there some alternative form for science ?
 
  • #279
This thread is now drifting in many directions. Time to close.

Thanks to all that have participated.
 
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