
Contents
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38.1 The claim 38.1 The claim
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38.2 The argument 38.2 The argument
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38.2.1 Background 38.2.1 Background
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38.2.2 Framework: Two cases 38.2.2 Framework: Two cases
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38.2.2.1 Case 1: Electromagnetism 38.2.2.1 Case 1: Electromagnetism
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38.2.2.2 Case 2: The physics of the atom 38.2.2.2 Case 2: The physics of the atom
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38.3 Schrödinger’s wave mechanics: Continuous scale transition and nurturing intuition 38.3 Schrödinger’s wave mechanics: Continuous scale transition and nurturing intuition
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38.4 Conclusion 38.4 Conclusion
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References References
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38 Interpretation in Electrodynamics, Atomic Theory, and Quantum Mechanics
Get accessProfessor Emeritus of Philosophy, University of Haifa
University Professor Emeritus, Emeritus Faculty, Religious Studies, History of Science, Ancient and Medieval Astronomy, University of Pittsburgh
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Published:19 May 2022
Cite
Abstract
The problem of interpretation is not unique to quantum mechanics, for it is apparent in classical electrodynamics and was acknowledged at the time. In the original quantum theory, an agreed mechanical interpretation emerged, but it then became clear that this interpretation led to insurmountable difficulties. The formal solution of the quandaries in the quantum theory were provided by the theory of matrix mechanics and the theory of wave mechanics: they both exposed the latent foundational problem of interpretation. We claim that this problem is inherent to physics. We examine two cases, electrodynamics and the physics of the atom, and then analyze in some detail the position taken by Erwin Schrödinger. The two cases serve to highlight the problematic relation between symbolic language and verbal expressions where the latter reflects mental images of the physics at stake, and the former its mathematical structure.
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