Overview
Jeffrey 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 Details
Author: 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: 14.50cm
, Height: 2.20cm
, Length: 22.40cm
Weight: 0.496kg
ISBN: 9780198238386
ISBN 10: 019823838
Pages: 284
Publication Date: 09 December 1999
Audience:
Professional and scholarly
,
Professional & Vocational
Format: Hardback
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.
Reviews
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
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 <br>
<br>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 <br>
Well written. * E. Kincanon, CHOICE, Nov. 00. *
Well written. E. Kincanon, CHOICE, Nov. 00.
Author Information
Jeffrey Barrett is Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of California, Irvine.
