Physics and Vertical Causation: The End of Quantum Reality by Smith Wolfgang

Author:Smith, Wolfgang [Smith, Wolfgang]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Angelico Press
Published: 2019-08-25T16:00:00+00:00

IT REMAINS TO SAY AT LEAST A FEW WORDS REGARDING A question obviously relevant to “the empirical status” of Einstein’s theories: how, namely, does Einsteinian physics stand in relation to quantum theory? Let me note in the first place that quantum physics is in a way the very opposite of relativity theory. For so far from being “ideology driven,” it imposed itself upon a generally reluctant scientific community. Not therefore on ideological grounds, but evidently by force of necessity. Scientists accepted quantum physics for the simple reason that it proved to be the only theory capable of dealing with the newly-discovered “quantum phenomena.” And from its inception the new physics functioned as the magic key which enabled physicists to unlock the secrets of the microworld, from the “algebra” of atomic spectra to the behavior of fundamental particles. And since quantum mechanics à la Heisenberg and Schrödinger merges into classical mechanics as we ascend into the macro-world—that is to say, let Planck’s constant h tend to zero—the question presents itself whether there exists a modified or “corrected” quantum theory which similarly merges into relativistic mechanics.

Now let me note at the outset that I have never concerned myself seriously with that kind of physics: have not so much as read a paper dealing with any part of it. I speak thus as an outsider. There are two things, however, I can say with absolute certainty: first, that the effort to “marry” quantum theory with Einsteinian physics—which has been ongoing for a very long time, has enlisted a galaxy of brilliant physicists, and engendered some of the most dazzling examples of mathematical wizardry the world has ever seen—has failed abysmally to achieve its objective. And I vividly recall Michio Kaku, in a documentary film, 60 stretching his arms wide and raising his voice as he informs us that relativity and quantum theory differ ultimately “ by one hundred twenty orders of magnitude !” I don’t understand what exactly this means; but judging by the expression on Michio Kaku’s face, it must be about as bad as such things can get.

But no one should actually be surprised. I ask myself: what has Einsteinian physics ever accomplished that one should search for a relativistic quantum theory in the first place? And in fact I regard it as yet another triumph of quantum physics that it has spurned the proffered union.

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