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OverviewJeffrey Barrett presents the most comprehensive study yet of a problem that has puzzled physicists and philosophers since the 1930s. The standard theory of quantum mechanics is in one sense the most successful physical theory ever, predicting the behaviour of the basic constituents of all physical things; no other theory has ever made such accurate empirical predictions. However, if one tries to understand the theory as providing a complete and accurate framework for the description of the behaviour of all physical interactions, it becomes evident that the theory is ambiguous, or even logically inconsistent. The most notable attempt to formulate the theory so as to deal with this problem, the quantum measurement problem, was initiated by Hugh Everett III in the 1950s. Barrett gives a careful and challenging examination and evaluation of the work of Everett and those who have followed him. His informal approach, minimizing technicality, will make the book accessible and illuminating for philosophers and physicists alike. Anyone interested in the interpretation of quantum mechanics should read it. Full Product DetailsAuthor: Jeffrey A. Barrett (Associate Professor of Philosophy, Associate Professor of Philosophy, University of California, Irvine)Publisher: Oxford University Press Imprint: Oxford University Press Dimensions: Width: 13.90cm , Height: 1.50cm , Length: 21.70cm Weight: 0.347kg ISBN: 9780199247431ISBN 10: 0199247439 Pages: 284 Publication Date: 16 August 2001 Audience: Professional and scholarly , Professional & Vocational Format: Paperback Publisher's Status: Active Availability: To order  Stock availability from the supplier is unknown. We will order it for you and ship this item to you once it is received by us. Table of Contents1: A Brief Introduction 2: The Standard Formulation of Quantum Mechanics 3: The Theory of the Universal Wave Function 4: The Bare Theory and Determinate Experience 5: Selecting a Branch 6: Many Worlds 7: Many Minds 8: Many Histories 9: The Determinate-Experience Problem Appendices References IndexReviewsThe book is at its best when it is distinguishing between the various versions of the Everett interpretation, and would certainly be useful to anyone who whishes to pursue Everett's approach. Barrett wisely separates out what can be reasonably ascribed to Everett, and what work remains to turn Everetts writings into a complete interpretation. Barrett does a good, clear job with this material and reader interested in the Everett tradition will likely find things that are useful for their purposes. * The Philosophical Review Print9780199861514The Fragmentation of a SectA great example of how history and sociology can partner in search of answers not only about the past of an organization, but also about its present, and may be useful particularly for those whose work is more often allied with the sociology of American religion, sectarian protestantism, schism, and even New Religious Movements. * The book is at its best when it is distinguishing between the various versions of the Everett interpretation, and would certainly be useful to anyone who whishes to pursue Everett's approach. Barrett wisely separates out what can be reasonably ascribed to Everett, and what work remains to turn Everetts writings into a complete interpretation. Barrett does a good, clear job with this material and reader interested in the Everett tradition will likely find things that are useful for their purposes. The Philosophical Review Print9780199861514The Fragmentation of a SectA great example of how history and sociology can partner in search of answers not only about the past of an organization, but also about its present, and may be useful particularly for those whose work is more often allied with the sociology of American religion, sectarian protestantism, schism, and even New Religious Movements. Author InformationTab Content 6Author Website:Countries AvailableAll regions |
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