1. Philosophical Issues in Quantum Physics and Metaphysical Implications

2. 914192830 Q/M Physics Q/M Philosophical Issues Implications Discussion Quiz Relativity Thermodynamics Implications Discussion 461113182025 Astronomy/ Cosmology Religious Cosmologies Implications Discussion Quiz Evolution The Science Creationism Intelligent Design Implications Discussion Summary Discussion Quiz Essay Due

3. Readings Barbour, I.G, Religion and Science (1997) Whitaker, A, Einstein, Bohr and the Quantum Dilemma (1996) Online Readings

4. Papers for Discussion Is there a moon when nobody look? Reality and the Quantum Theory by David Mermin Is scientific realism compatible with quantum physics by Arthur Fine Critical Realism in Science and Religion (Reading from Belief in God in an Age of Science by John Polkinghorne) Quantum Complementarity and Christological Dialectic by Christopher Kaiser

5. Recap: The Strange Quantum World Wave Particle Duality How to describe systems? Wave Function describes the state of a system in a probabilistic sense Systems exist a superposition of states Observation collapses to a particular state

6. Recap : Two Views Complementarity (Critical Realism?) –Must consider interaction between subject and object in an experiment –Conceptual limitation of understanding Realism –Theories are description of nature in itself –Hidden Variables to explain away apparent indeterminacy?

7. Points to Ponder Does Complementarity imply instrumentalism? Complementarity a good paradigm for science and religion? Indeterminacy – temporary ignorance? – measurement or conceptual issue? – inherent to nature? Parts and Wholes – A new paradigm for understanding the world?

8. Determinism State (of an object or event) is determined by prior states Laplace’s Clockwork Universe Classical Physics Cause and Effect First Cause Argument? Chaos?

9. Indeterminacy Temporary human ignorance Inherent experimental or conceptual limitations Indeterminacy in nature

10. Realism Observations in science related to a real existing world independent of observations Scientific theories are attempts to gain information about reality Classical Physics

11. Positivism Observed Phenomena are all that require scientific analysis Discussion of underlying mechanisms or ‘real entities’ meaningless Self Defeating, Quine and Kuhn’s Objections

12. Instrumentalism Scientific Theories tools to calculate experimental Results Non Observable theoretical constructs useful but disposable Shift away discourse from the realism debate

13. Reductionism Complex system is nothing but the sum of its parts Again a clockwork universe Greedy Reductionism (Dennet) Emergent Phenomena Holism

14. The tendency in nature to form wholes that are greater than the sum of the parts Complex Systems Copenhagen Interpretation

15. Bohr’s Copenhagen Interpretation Complementarity Indeterminacy Critical Realism Holism

16. Complementarity Wave Particle Duality Complimentary’ properties and uncertainty Mutual Exclusiveness –One quantity being measured precludes measurement of the other Joint Completion –The two quantities jointly provide a complete description of the motion

17. Complementarity e.g. x & p OR s x & s y (or s z ) Must discuss the value of observable in terms of the experimental setup

18. Disturbance Interpretation

19. The Heisenberg Cut Boundary between observer and observed Ambiguity; does it mean the end of disturbance interpretation Observer and observed handled as a whole

20. Wholeness Observed object and measuring apparatus are inextricably linked Rebirth of Aristotle? Eastern Mysticism?

21. Problems with Copenhagen An absolute wave function representing the world is rejected by Bohr –System (quantum), Observing devices (classical) Heisenberg Cut

22. Complementarity in other Fields Mechanical and Vitalistic points of view of Biology Free Will and Determinism in Psychology

23. Wave Function Collapse Projection postulate What causes the wave function to collapse at the time of observation? Epistemic Interpretation Wigner and Consciousness

24. The Realist View The theory as it stands is incomplete Hidden Variables? EPR paradox as an example Bohr’s response

25. Metaphysical Implications Is it all in the Mind? Free will and Determinism God’s action in the world Eastern Mysticism

26. Biological Life Exact predictions for large ensembles But micro events can have macro consequences Firing of neurons Genetic Mutations

27. Human Freedom Quantum Indeterminacy = Possibility of human freedom? Dualistic view needed?

28. God’s Action in the World Does God control how events unfold using indeterminacy? Collapse of the wave function

29. Eastern Mysticism Complementarity and Yin/Yang Holistic Picture and Pantheism A Process point of view

30. Next Time………. Summary and wrap up 15 min presentations Quiz in class