quantum philosophy understanding and interpreting contemporary science

[...]... fundamental sciences, those dealing with space, time, and matter, those the Greeks would have called a science of Being, have broken out of the limits of common sense and traditional philosophy Our objective is to identify, and in a certain sense repair, that void, that breach in the continuity of thought that prevents us from being fully aware of the state, the meaning, and the implications of science. .. should understand these subjects are talking about A good part of this book retraces this rise toward formalism and shows its necessity, not only in mathematics, but also in the foundations of relativity and quantum physics, and in the theories dealing with all that makes up the universe, space, and particles As a counterbalance, another part of the book shows how to loosen that formalism and overcome... understand? Have you considered that?” “Yes, some have begun to consider it,” I replied, hesitantly “They wonder whether the obscurity of the founding sciences is inevitable, and if it is possible to ‘understand’ in ways other than xix P R ELU DE the traditional ones Certain recent works point in that direction They concern quantum mechanics, a sort of science of the primal laws of matter, and the... had searched for and that might well be a new way to understand, as you suggested.” “A science normally produces knowledge, but how can it also affect the nature of that knowledge and change the way we understand?” asked an impatient voice “That is true,” I said, “we must carefully consider what is at stake from the point of view of a philosophy of knowledge It is important to know that quantum mechanics... Francis Bacon’s The Great Instauration: one day, the principles of science will be so close to the heart and the essence of things that philosophy will be able to find in them its own foundations Let us temper that wish and speak only of philosophy of knowledge; let us, on the contrary, bolster it and say that such a day has arrived, and there you have the summary of this book The time has come to force... naive and profound at the same time, like those of a child How eager they were to learn why and how the sun shines, the sky is blue, the planets move, what are the elements, and how to pierce all the mysteries of life which they, our 3 PA RT ON E ancestors, could only marvel at! We have the answers, and we also know that true understanding requires more than that We shall talk of the time when science. .. your souls and give up your vulgar habits The goal is there, within reach.” I heard Parmenides whisper to Zeno, “Do you think they are going to start philosophy all over again?” and the latter reply, “It would be a nice paradox.” xxiii This page intentionally left blank PA RT ON E THE LEGACY ✣ This page intentionally left blank I F WE MUST RETHINK today the links between philosophy and science, it... found its primitive objects: space-time and the elementary particles of matter, but at the price of accepting that its principles and its foundations should be irrepresentable to the eyes of the mind.” I got carried away again and shouted, “Our sciences are blind like Homer, and like him, because blind, open to the entire cosmos.” “Then they are also mad like Homer, and like you, with your three-drachma... been opposed to each other, he and I (pointing to Parmenides), and you thought it was purely by chance But perhaps you are not as foolish as the Ephesians and, if donkeys prefer oats to gold, you have at least seen the bottom of the manger The god whose oracle is at Delphi does not speak or conceal but he can make a sign and this is certainly one: to understand everything and finally come up against the... pure, transparent, and also most impenetrable, capable of leaving its mark on everything But we shall not discuss logic the way too many philosophy books do today, merely as a repetitious technique; rather, we shall explore parts of its history Naturally, there is a purpose to all this, because the nature of logic ultimately raises the deepest question in science and philosophy, and we shall later . class="bi x0 y0 w0 h0" alt="" Quantum Philosophy ✣ This page intentionally left blank Quantum Philosop hy UNDERSTANDING AND INTERPRETING CONTEMPORARY SCIENCE ✣ ROLAND OMNfS Translated by Arturo. Cataloging-in-Publication Data Omnès, Roland [Philosophie de la science contemporaine. English] Quantum philosophy : understanding and interpreting contemporary science / Roland Omnès ; translated by Arturo Sangalli. p 47 Rigor and Profusion in the Nineteenth Century 53 Mathematics and Infinity 58 CHAPTER IV Classical Philosophy of Knowledge 62 Francis Bacon and Experience 62 Descartes and Reason 64 Locke and Empiricism