QUANTUM THEORY: PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE (FOUNDATIONS OF QUANTUM MECHANICS)

Physics and Energy

About this course

The course is between Physics and Humanities and open to all students.

Despite the extraordinary success of quantum mechanics, debates about the interpretation of the formalism and its various paradoxes persist to this day.

The course will provide a state-of-art introduction to the foundations of quantum mechanics, addressing, in particular, the question what quantum theories are actually telling us about the world.

1. Understanding the fundamental concepts and innovations of quantum mechanics
2. Understanding the foundational problems of quantum mechanics, especially the measurement problem and its possible solutions
3. Acquiring basic knowldege of main contemporary formulations (interpretations) of quantum mechanics, such as bohmian mechanics, objective collaps theories, and the many-worlds theories that are not part of the standard physics curriculum
4. Understanding the physical and philosophical debates about the ontology of quantum mechanics, the meaning of the wave function, and the status of probabilities, thereby developing the ability to weigh different positions and develop precise arguments
5. Understanding key experimental (double-slit, stern-gerlach, eprb) and theoretical (einstein-podolsky-rosen paradox, bell's theorem, no-hidden-variables theorems) results and their implications
6. Sharpen the ability to think critically and carefully about the interpretation of experimental and mathematical results, in general
7. Appreciating central issues in philosophy of science via the debates about quantum mechanics; scientific realism vs. anti-realism, empricial underdetermination, the status of theoretical entities

SEMESTER START DATE: March 30, 2025

Contact Hours per Week: 2

Day & Time: Tuesday from 16:00-18:00 (Israel Time)

Expected learning outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to

• Understand fundamental concepts, problems, and results in quantum mechanics

• Identify and critically engage with competing versions/interpretations of quantum mechanics

• Apply concepts from the philosophy of physics and discuss philosophical texts