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Listen "Wayne Myrvold: Bell's Theorem, the illusion of scientific consensus, reality of quantum states"
Episode Synopsis
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Wayne Myrvold is a Professor of Philosophy at the University of Western Ontario. He specializes in philosophy of physics and has made significant contributions to our understanding of quantum mechanics, particularly regarding Bell's theorem and quantum state realism. He is also the co-author of the Stanford Encyclopedia article on Bell's theorem.
In this episode, we discuss:
• The problem with treating quantum interpretations like sports teams and why we should avoid simply "picking a side"
• Why the common belief that classical physics had no interpretational debates is historically incorrect
• The real meaning of Bell's theorem and why the phrase "local realism" has muddied the waters
• The distinction between different formulations of a theory versus different theories
• Historical debates about the nature of matter, including fascinating examples like the "molecular vortices" theory
• Why quantum mechanics demands interpretation in ways that seem different from classical theories
• The status of quantum state realism and what we can confidently say about quantum reality
Key Highlights:
The importance of understanding the space of possibilities rather than committing to one interpretation
How 19th-century physics wasn't as settled as many people think
The different types of "non-locality" in quantum mechanics
Why we should be skeptical of claims that require specific assumptions for Bell's theorem
Quotes:"I don't give a shit whether I like the answer or not." - on approaching quantum foundations"There has never been a time in the history of science when there was a clear consensus on what the world was like at the fundamental level."
Links/References:
Stanford Encyclopedia article on Bell's theorem (co-authored by Myrvold)
Myrvold's paper on quantum state realism
Wayne Myrvold is a Professor of Philosophy at the University of Western Ontario. He specializes in philosophy of physics and has made significant contributions to our understanding of quantum mechanics, particularly regarding Bell's theorem and quantum state realism. He is also the co-author of the Stanford Encyclopedia article on Bell's theorem.
In this episode, we discuss:
• The problem with treating quantum interpretations like sports teams and why we should avoid simply "picking a side"
• Why the common belief that classical physics had no interpretational debates is historically incorrect
• The real meaning of Bell's theorem and why the phrase "local realism" has muddied the waters
• The distinction between different formulations of a theory versus different theories
• Historical debates about the nature of matter, including fascinating examples like the "molecular vortices" theory
• Why quantum mechanics demands interpretation in ways that seem different from classical theories
• The status of quantum state realism and what we can confidently say about quantum reality
Key Highlights:
The importance of understanding the space of possibilities rather than committing to one interpretation
How 19th-century physics wasn't as settled as many people think
The different types of "non-locality" in quantum mechanics
Why we should be skeptical of claims that require specific assumptions for Bell's theorem
Quotes:"I don't give a shit whether I like the answer or not." - on approaching quantum foundations"There has never been a time in the history of science when there was a clear consensus on what the world was like at the fundamental level."
Links/References:
Stanford Encyclopedia article on Bell's theorem (co-authored by Myrvold)
Myrvold's paper on quantum state realism
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