Reexamining the Quantum-Classical Relation: Beyond Reductionism and Pluralism

by Alisa Bokulich

Classical mechanics and quantum mechanics are two of the most successful scientific theories ever discovered, and yet how they can describe the same world is far from one theory is deterministic, the other indeterministic; one theory describes a world in which chaos is pervasive, the other a world in which chaos is absent. Focusing on the exciting field of 'quantum chaos', this book reveals that there is a subtle and complex relation between classical and quantum mechanics. It challenges the received view that classical and quantum mechanics are incommensurable, and revives another, largely forgotten tradition due to Niels Bohr and Paul Dirac. By artfully weaving together considerations from the history of science, philosophy of science, and contemporary physics, this book offers a new way of thinking about intertheory relations and scientific explanation. It will be of particular interest to historians and philosophers of science, philosophically-inclined physicists, and interested non-specialists.

208 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Jayameenakshi Venkatraman · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a student of Physics, I've always found the reductionist explanation of recovering classical mechanics from quantum mechanics in the limit of 0 Planck constant loose and hand-wavy. Bokulich lays out very eloquently with multiple examples the three different perspectives on the quantum-classical transition from the viewpoint of Dirac, Heisenberg, and Bohr. Thoroughly enjoyable read.