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The Copenhagen Conspiracy

by David Ferry

This book is largely a history of quantum mechanics that concentrates on various physical and philosophical interpretations of the theory. The various controversies that have arisen over the last century are well covered, as is the centrality of the Einstein–Bohr debate, which permeates much of the discussion. Ferry (Arizona State Univ.) concludes the text by arguing that ‘what Neils Bohr did, with his positivist conspiracy . . . set back the understanding of the foundations of quantum mechanics, now by more than a century.’ Ferry is also clear that the quantum debate really does not matter if all one wants to do is calculations or find solutions to particular problems. However, it makes a difference if one wishes to fundamentally understand quantum mechanics’ meaning. Ferry writes engagingly; chapter notes provide the reader with connections to primary and secondary sources. This book would complement academic collections in the history, philosophy, and interpretation of quantum mechanics.

A. M. Strauss, Vanderbilt University
  • Format: Hardcover
  • ISBN: 9789814774758
  • Subject: General Materials Science
  • Published: January 2019
  • Pages: 384