Philosophy 794P: Philosophy of Physics---Quantum Mechanics

Brad Skow, Spring 2007, Wednesdays, 3:35-6:05, Philosophy Library.


Course Information

We will survey interpretations of quantum mechanics, focusing on how each deals with the measurement problem. David Albert's book Quantum Mechanics and Experience will be our guide; copies of it have been ordered at Amherst Books.

Course requirements: Either a 20 page term paper, or two 10 page papers, the first due at the end of spring break.


Tentative List of Topics

("*" indicates optional reading that may not be discussed in class.)

Background, Mathematical and Physical.

Maudlin, An Overview of Quantum Mechanics.
Albert, chs 1-2.
*Clifton, Introductory Notes on the Mathematics Needed for Quantum Theory.
*Geroch, Mathematical Physics, ch 9, 48-56.

EPR and non-locality.

Einstein, Podolsky, and Rosen, "Can Quantum-Mechanical Description of Physical Reality be Considered Complete?"
Albert, ch 3.
Mermin, "Quantum Mysteries for Anyone."

Collapse Theories; GRW.

Albert, ch. 4-5.

Bohmian Mechanics.

Albert, ch. 7.
Goldstein, Bohmian Mechanics.
*Callender, Bohmian Mechanics, Probability and the Law of Large Numbers (link at bottom of his webpage).
(Why not visit bohmian-mechnics.net?)

Modal Interpretations.

Dieks, On Some Alleged Difficulties in Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics.
Albert, appendix.
*Arntzenius, Curiouser and curiouser: problems for modal interpretations of quantum mechanics.

Everett.

Everett, Relative State Formulation of Quantum Mechanics.
Barrett, The Quantum Mechanics of Minds and Worlds, chapter 3.

The Bare Theory.

Albert, ch.6, 112-125.
Barrett, chapter 4.

Many Worlds.

DeWitt, Quantum Mechanics and Reality, in The Many-Worlds Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics.
Barrett, chapter 6.
*Albert and Loewer, "Interpreting the Many Worlds Interpretation."

Lewis, How Many Lives Has Schrodinger's Cat?
Wallace, Everett and Structure.
Wallace, "Worlds in the Everett Interpretation." (use google)
Greaves, Probability in the Everett Interpretation.
Greaves, "Understanding Deutsch's Probability in a Deterministic Multiverse." (use google)

Many Minds.

Albert, 126-133.
Barrett, Chapter 7.

Configuration Space Realism.

Albert, "Elementary Quantum Metaphysics."
Dorr, Reality and Quantum Mechanics, excerpt.


Suggested Further Reading (for those seeking paper topics)

Strange attempts to make QM into a local theory:

On whether there is non-local causation in QM:

One of Jonathan's arguments for Monism has premises that mention quantum mechanics. The plausibility of those premises may depend on which interpretation of QM is true. How good is his argument if, say, Bohm's theory is true?

On configuration space realism:



Brad Skow | Umass Amherst