Scientific Realism and the Quantum

"Scientific realism has traditionally maintained that our best scientific theories can be regarded as more or less true and as representing the world as it is (more or less). However, one of our very best current theories--quantum mechanics--has famously resisted such a realist construal, threatening to undermine the realist stance altogether. The chapters in this volume carefully examine this tension and the reasons behind it, including the underdetermination generated by the multiplicity of formulations and interpretations of quantum physics, each presenting a different way the world could be. Authors in this volume offer a range of alternative ways forward: some suggest new articulations of realism, limiting our commitments in one way or another; others attempt to articulate a 'third way' between traditional forms of realism and antirealism, or are critical of such attempts. Still others argue that quantum theory itself should be reconceptualised, or at least alternative formulations should be considered in the hope of evading the problems faced by realism. And some examine the nature of these issues when moving beyond quantum mechanics to quantum field theory. Taken together they offer an exciting new set of perspectives on one of the most fundamental questions in the philosophy of modern physics: how can one be a realist about quantum theory, and what does this realism amount to?" -- Oxford Scholarship Online Contents 6 List of Illustrations 10 List of Contributors 12 Acknowledgements 14 1. Introduction • Steven French and Juha Saatsi 16 Part I: Rethinking Scientific Realism 32 2. Scientific Realism without the Quantum • Carl Hoefer 34 3. Truth vs. Progress Realism about Spin • Juha Saatsi 50 Part II: Underdetermination and Interpretation 70 4. Can We Quarantine the Quantum Blight? • Craig Callender 72 5. On the Plurality of Quantum Theories: Quantum Theory as a Framework, and its Implications for the Quantum Measurement Problem • DavidWallace 93 6. Naturalism and the Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics • J. E. Wolff 118 Part III: Pragmatism about Quantum Theory 136 7. Pragmatist Quantum Realism • Richard Healey 138 8. Can Pragmatism about Quantum Theory Handle Objectivity about Explanations? • Lina Jansson 162 9. Quantum Mechanics and its (Dis)Contents • Peter J. Lewis 183 Part IV: Wavefunction and Quantum State Realism 198 10. Losing Sight of the Forest for the ψ: Beyond the Wavefunction Hegemony • Alisa Bokulich 200 11. Scientific Realism without the Wave Function • Valia Allori 227 12. On the Status of Quantum State Realism • Wayne C. Myrvold 244 Part V: Scientific Realism and Quantum Field Theory 268 13. The Non-Miraculous Success of Formal Analogies in Quantum Theories • Doreen Fraser 270 14. Towards a Realist View of Quantum Field Theory • James D. Fraser 291 15. Perturbing Realism • Laura Ruetsche 308 Name Index 330 Subject Index 332 "Quantum theory is widely regarded as one of the most successful theories in the history of science. It explains a hugely diverse array of phenomena and is a natural candidate for our best representation of the world at the level of 'fundamental' physics. But how can the world be the way quantum theory says it is? It is famously unclear what the world is like according to quantum physics, which presents a serious problem for the scientific realist who is committed to regarding our best theories as more or less true. The present volume canvasses a variety of responses to this problem, from restricting or revising realism in different ways to exploring entirely new directions in the lively debate surrounding realist interpretations of quantum physics. Some urge us to focus on new formulations of the theory itself, while others examine the status of scientific realism in the further context of quantum field theory. Each chapter is written by a renowned specialist in the field and is aimed at graduate students and researchers in both physics and the philosophy of science. Together they offer a range of illuminating new perspectives on this fundamental debate and exemplify the fruitful interaction between physics and philosophy." -- Provided by publisher Quantum theory explains a hugely diverse array of phenomena in the history of science. But how can the world be the way quantum theory says it is? Fifteen expert scholars consider what the world is like according to quantum physics in this volume and offer illuminating new perspectives on fundamental debates that span physics and philosophy.