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Subject: explanation

Author:
mi chamocha

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Date Posted: 16:25:06 07/12/01 Thu
In reply to: Bizel2001 's message, "Please explain?" on 11:24:21 07/12/01 Thu

bizel -

Different interpretations are just the beginning, but they alone show that we don't really know enough to draw definitive conclusions about the consequences of quantum mechanics.

Certainly different interpretations allow for determinism, and other indeterminism. Others effectively lead to determinism. Furthermore, even if physics disproves determinism, it still doesn't show that we have free will. And still more, physics could come to a completely new understanding of quantum mechanics that reinstates determinism into the overall model of physics. Until physics comes up with a consistent, well proven Final Theory, we'll never really know.

Your statement that QM has "destroyed any predilictions toward determinism" is a common misperception, and also one that is perpetuated by pop physicists and pop physics books. Personally, I'd rather believe that we have free will; it makes things a lot more interesting.

If people really want to debate various interpretations of quantum mechanics, be my guest. But to do this really requires a very deep understanding of the math behind quantum mechanics and its implications to an extent that I really doubt that anyone here has. I've taken many a course on quantum mechanics, and I don't have anywhere near a good enough understanding to either a) construct an original argument on the philosophy of quantum mechanics, or b) evaluate someone else's argument well.

So, while I would certainly highly encourage people to understand the implications that physics has for philosophy, everyone needs to remember that physics itself does not yet have a consistent theory on the subject of quantum mechanics, let alone a good interpretation of the theory.

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