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Metaphysics, pure old-fashioned ponderings on the nature of the REALLY REAL, form the subject of this unflagging excursion by quantum physicist Herbert. It is not news that the world of the infinitesimally small has been riddled with paradoxes ever since Heisenberg established the Uncertainity Principle, and others provided the essential credentials for the dual nature - particle and wave - of quantum matter or "quons," as Herbert calls them. Einstein forever fought the probabilistic implications of quantum theory and repeatedly debated Bohr, who stoutly defended what became known as the Copenhagen Interpretation, which held that "entities" - fundamental particles - possess no dynamic attributes on their own; they gain attributes (e.g., mass, spin, charge) in the act of measurement. The investigator assumes a mask of divine ignorance before conducting measurements: "The knowledge he lacks is simply not there to be known." It was further agreed that a single unmeasured quon can take all paths open to it. "No," say a number of latter-day mavericks who have come up with alternative realities. It is Herbert's pleasure to tick these off (along with amusing cartoon diagrams that offer other prospects of what's there when nobody's looking). In this context he invokes John Stuart Bell's theorem that any mode of reality must be non-local, i.e., that the behavior of the quon is affected by phenomena that are "superluminal": they travel faster than light. This aspect appeals to a number of current meta-quantum-physicists such as David Bohm, and others whom Herbert calls "neorealists." Herbert also discusses various "proxy wave" interpretations of John von Neumann and the many worlds idea of Paul Davies, among others. However, perhaps Richard Feynman has the last word (early in the book): "I think it is safe to say that no one understands quantum mechanics. Do not keep saying to yourself, 'but how can it be like that?' . . Nobody knows how it can be like that." Herbert makes an engaging try that should open discussion among students and colleagues, but just may leave even the most intellectually courageous lay readers lost in a superluminal fog. (Kirkus Reviews)
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Book Description
This clearly explained layman's introduction to quantum physics is an accessible excursion into metaphysics and the meaning of reality. Herbert exposes the quantum world and the scientific and philosophical controversy about its interpretation.
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When I was six my parents gave me a set of children's book-fourteen orange, black, and gold bound volumes of stories, games, and songs. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index
When I was six my parents gave me a set of children's book-fourteen orange, black, and gold bound volumes of stories, games, and songs. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index
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Most helpful customer reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very good good, but........,
By Luigi (NY United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Quantum Reality: Beyond the New Physics (Paperback)
I found this reading on Quantum physics to be very good overall, but many explanations were carried over in a more complexed and technical manner than necessary. The wave definition chapter is very good and gives you a good understanding on the basic laws of waves (very important in quantum physics). The Dirac's view on the subject is very poorly explained, and the general tendency on relying on thecnical explanations (as mentioned before) makes this reading somewhat fatiguing at time. Overall a good book, but not the only one you might want to read on the subject for a full understanding.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
THE FIRST book to read on quantum theory,
By
This review is from: Quantum Reality: Beyond the New Physics (Paperback)
Of all the books that I've read on quantum theory that do not use calculus, this is probably the best. He is clear and succinct and ties things together in ways that click (at least for me). Some others that I'm reading that I'm comparing to: Quantum Theory - A Very Short Introduction by John Polkinghorne (good, but very quick pace), The Story of Quantum Mechanics by Victor Guillemin (also very good, might come in second), Thirty Years That Shook Physics by George Gamov (alright, particularly good for anecdotal stories from one who knew these guys), and Physics and Philosophy by Heisenberg (good, but I'm not too far yet, clear, and a good writer).
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Classic,
By A Customer
This review is from: Quantum Reality: Beyond the New Physics (Paperback)
I read this book years ago and enjoyed it. I find myself periodically going back to it. Basical it explains quantum mechanics to the layman and does it in a very readable way.I highly recommend it and wish Herbert would write a sequel, covering some of th enewer developments such as string theory and some of the more recent work involving action at a distance
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