Philosophy of Quantum Mechanics

Abstract

Quantum physics is one of the cornerstones of modern physics and a scientifically informed philosophy of nature needs to integrate it. In particular, quantum mechanics is thought to have implications for example for the question whether nature is deterministic, the (im)possibility to observe without intervening, and the possibility of non-local interactions. However, if we look more carefully at what exactly quantum mechanics implies, we encounter a problem: there are different interpretations of quantum mechanics, which are all compatible with observations but which paint very different pictures of physical reality. This entry tries to orient the reader within this complex debate. We introduce briefly what quantum physics is about, what its main interpretations look like and whether some general conclusions with regard to metaphysics and natural philosophy can be drawn from it.