Understanding and Interpretations of Quantum Mechanics

semiotics, technology, and the order of things
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Abstract:

Taking Heisenberg’s and Schrödinger’s theories of quantum mechanics as his case study, De Regt’s contextual theory of understanding argues that recognizing qualitatively characteristic consequences of a theory T without performing exact calculations is a criterion for scientific understanding. From the perspective of this theory of understanding, the task of understanding quantum mechanics seems to have been achieved already or even finished. This appears to disagree with some physicists’ attitude to the understanding of quantum mechanics in line with Richard Feynman’s famous slogan that “I think I can safely say that nobody really understands quantum mechanics.” Moreover, if the task of understanding of quantum mechanics has been finished already, there would be a conflict between the context theory of understanding of quantum mechanics and interpretations of quantum mechanics. This paper shows that de Regt’s theory of scientific understanding and interpretations of quantum mechanics conflict either on scientific understanding or on the understanding of quantum mechanics. It explores various avenues for dissolving that tension but none appears plausible. One suggestion is that quantum mechanics is understandable but that it does not provide understanding of quantum phenomena. Equally problematic is the proposal that the notion of understanding has changed since the time of Heisenberg: Though he was equipped with the right theory, he did not understand quantum phenomena whereas today one does? The review of these and other options remains at a productive impasse.