Physicists Disagree Over Meaning of Quantum...

Physicists Disagree Over Meaning of Quantum Mechanics, Poll Shows

In the currentÂ issue ofÂ the quarterly PARABOLA, which contains articles devotedÂ to the theme "Science and Spirit",these words of Wolfgang Pauli, 1945 winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics,Â which indicate there is onlyÂ only one Reality, experienced in different ways, are quoted:

â€œIt would be most satisfactory ... if physics and psyche could be seen as complementary aspects of the same reality.â€

CLARA MOSKOWITZ - Live Science

"Anyone who claims to understand quantum theory is either lying or crazy," physicist Richard Feynman once said, according to legend.

That situation hasn't changed much in the roughly 90 years since quantum mechanics was first introduced, as evidenced by a new poll, detailed online this month, showing that physicists are still divided over the theory's meaning.

The 16-question poll was given to 33 physicists, philosophers and mathematicians at a conference on "Quantum Physics and the Nature of Reality" in Austria in July 2011. The poll probed the experts' thoughts on fundamental tenets of the theory, such as the randomness of nature and the impact of outside measurements on quantum systems.

Though the pollsters admit the sample size is small and the test not completely scientific, they found a striking divide among the experts on some of the most basic principles of quantum mechanics.

"Nearly 90 ...

Richard B. Jan 26, 2013, 6:20am UTC

That I understand

This is exactlly how I also see that subject.

'Anyone who claims to understand quantum theory is either lying or crazy'

Hyper Intellect Jan 26, 2013, 3:41pm UTC

I don't feel quite so ingorunt now;-]

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Dennis Gilman Jan 26, 2013, 10:40am UTC

What Richard said. It is not unexpected. even in other sciences, two experts of equal qualifications and experience will often examine the very same data, the very same evidence and come to different conclusions.

I only understand a tiny bit about quantum mechanics and my concepts might be inaccurate. Effects is what we use to establish existence and effects are often in wave pattern, therefore a quantum particle can "exist" in several places at the same time. That property, in my view, is somehow be one of the reasons the universe is even possible.

Clarke M. Jan 27, 2013, 7:58am UTC

As "all and everything" is related , space and time are forms or patterns within eternity, one reality.

Jerry Kays Jan 27, 2013, 1:25pm UTC

(+=-)

Dennis Gilman Jan 28, 2013, 2:43pm UTC

Logical way to view it Clarke.

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Dennis Gilman Jan 26, 2013, 10:43am UTC

Thanks for posting to Losing Your Religion.

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Bob M. Jan 26, 2013, 10:48am UTC

So, I guess "Consensus" is NOT a scientific concept.

Somebody should tell Al Gore!

Nippy Katz (Not his real name) Demigod about Town Jan 26, 2013, 5:47pm UTC

Consensus applies pretty well where questions are mostly settled as in cliamate change or basic Newtonian mechanics.

Clarke M. Jan 27, 2013, 8:26am UTC

Right. As space and time and gravity are not understood, "settled" theories based on observations (Newton et al.) are understood to have partial truth but not "reality".

Bob M. Jan 27, 2013, 10:26am UTC

Good to know...

I hope neither of you find this unsettling!

http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981842741

Clarke M. Jan 27, 2013, 11:36am UTC

The destruction of the environment is humanity's responsibility because of the selfishness, greed, and man's other weaknesses that have destroyed many civilizations. The politicalizing of science has been a feature of many civilizations, more advanced than ours. What led to their failure and collapse into chaos and barbarism was the denial of facts and false beliefs in ideological notions and theories for selfish reasons.
The Earth can deal with humanity's failures . If humanity destroys itself so be it.

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Nippy Katz (Not his real name) Demigod about Town Jan 26, 2013, 5:52pm UTC

I think "meaning" is the wrong word to use in this context. There's a lot of unsettled questions in particle physics. We're at a stage where the tools we've used to conduct experiments in the past aren't easy to scale up to answer questions that we need to answer. Any high school science teqacher could tell you that it's a wild west area of physics. The weapons of choice are made from PhD level math though, so it's not an area where the average kid could perform critical experiments in the basement. :)

Clarke M. Jan 27, 2013, 8:35am UTC

What is interesting is that quantum theory relates to traditional thought, Pythagoras, Plato, the world religions. Physicists focus on physical matter, a small fraction of the universe.

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John-Arthur Ingram Jan 29, 2013, 4:09am UTC

I saw an episode of Quantum Leap once back in the day. Does that count? ;)

Now featured on Gather Spirituality Essentials!

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Physicists Disagree Over Meaning of Quantum Mechanics, Poll Shows

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