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'Mysticism' in quantum mechanics: the forgotten controversy

Juan Miguel Marin

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This paper argues that a European controversy over a 'mystical' hypothesis, one assigning the mind a role to play at the material level of reality, shaped much of the debate over the interpretation of the quantum equations. It traces back the controversy to the past two decades, beginning in the late 1920s—birth of quantum theory—and concluding with Erwin Schrödinger's lectures published as 'Mind and Matter'. Becoming aware of the issues at stake can help us understand the historical, philosophical and cultural background from which today's physics emerged.


PACS

01.65.+g History of science

01.50.-i Educational aids

01.70.+w Philosophy of science

03.65.Ge Solutions of wave equations: bound states

Subjects

Education and communication

Quantum information and quantum mechanics

Dates

Issue 4 (July 2009)

Received 27 February 2009, in final form 27 February 2009

Published 14 May 2009



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