Quantum Non-Locality and Relativity: Metaphysical Intimations of Modern Physics - Hardcover

Maudlin, Tim

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0631232206 ISBN 13: 9780631232209

Publisher: Blackwell Pub, 2002

Synopsis

Modern physics was born from two great revolutions: relativity and the quantum theory. Relativity imposed a locality constraint on physical theories: since nothing can go faster than light, very distant events cannot influence one another. Only in the last few decades has it become clear that the quantum theory violates this constraint. The work of J.S. Bell has demonstrated that no local theory can return the predictions of quantum theory. Thus it would seem that the central pillars of modern physics are contradictory.

About this title

About the Author

Tim Maudlin is Professor of Philosophy at Rutgers University. He specializes in philosophy of science, especially philosophy of physics, metaphysics as informed by relativity and quantum theory, and the methodology of science.

Review

"Maudlin's book is outstanding, and is particularly remarkable for three central achievements: the clearest exposition of Bell's theorem I know of; a careful discussion of the (in)compatibility between the implications of that theorem and relativity; and astute suggestions for how one could deal with this problem. Maudlin is a professional philosopher who writes on this most fundamental issue of physics in a way that is far clearer than the work of most physicists."
–Jean Bricmont, University of Louvain

Edition details

• Publisher: Blackwell Pub
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0631232206
• ISBN 13: 9780631232209
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 281