Irreducible indeterminism is considered by most physicists as an ontological interpretation of quantum mechanics, which attributes inherent indeterminism to elementary paJcticles. This view was extrapolated by von Neu...Irreducible indeterminism is considered by most physicists as an ontological interpretation of quantum mechanics, which attributes inherent indeterminism to elementary paJcticles. This view was extrapolated by von Neumann from the atomocosm to the entire universe. Heisenberg proposed an epistemic interpretation, postulating that indeterminism stems from ambivalent detection systems, rather than being a characteristic of elementary particles Transformative detection that inherently affects the measured phenomena is responsible for the indeterminism in the atomocosm. As the same does not generally hold true in the macrocosm, this discrepancy has led to the notion of the Heisenberg cut. As explained by Heisenberg＇s microscope example, high-energy light can displace electrons from their atomic shells in the atomocosm, but would not induce the same effect on objects in the macrocosm, thus rendering such detection neutral. Therefore, detection systems are ambivalent in that they can be transformative under the cut and neutral otherwise. Device variation is found under and above the cut and is the essential cause of outcome variability in the macrocosm. Thus, two completely different categories of indeterminism exist simultaneously under the Heisenberg cut, but only one is found above the cut, known as measurement variations of devices. Experimental exploration of elementary paJcticle behaviors is possible only with the help of detection systems. If these systems affect particle characteristics in any way, this would be sufficient to explain the irreducible quantum mechanical indeterminism. Consequently, the true behavior of elementary particles, whether indeterminist or determinist, would never be detectable. Above the cut, on the other hand, variations in device performance are inevitable, due to reducible perturbing factors, inducing measurement wJciation of devices Heisenberg discovered a general principle of ambivalent detection systems, which can also be found in the macrocosm. In the Wilson Cloud Chamber, vapor is an ambivalent detection system, since high-energy charged particles would produce straight tracks, whereas those of lower energy would leave an irregular trace. According to the epistemic interpretation, von Neumann＇s extrapolation of irreducible quantum mechanical indeterminism to the entire universe would not be necessary, thereby avoiding the uncomfortable conclusion that the entire universe is based on indeterminism展开更多
文摘Irreducible indeterminism is considered by most physicists as an ontological interpretation of quantum mechanics, which attributes inherent indeterminism to elementary paJcticles. This view was extrapolated by von Neumann from the atomocosm to the entire universe. Heisenberg proposed an epistemic interpretation, postulating that indeterminism stems from ambivalent detection systems, rather than being a characteristic of elementary particles Transformative detection that inherently affects the measured phenomena is responsible for the indeterminism in the atomocosm. As the same does not generally hold true in the macrocosm, this discrepancy has led to the notion of the Heisenberg cut. As explained by Heisenberg＇s microscope example, high-energy light can displace electrons from their atomic shells in the atomocosm, but would not induce the same effect on objects in the macrocosm, thus rendering such detection neutral. Therefore, detection systems are ambivalent in that they can be transformative under the cut and neutral otherwise. Device variation is found under and above the cut and is the essential cause of outcome variability in the macrocosm. Thus, two completely different categories of indeterminism exist simultaneously under the Heisenberg cut, but only one is found above the cut, known as measurement variations of devices. Experimental exploration of elementary paJcticle behaviors is possible only with the help of detection systems. If these systems affect particle characteristics in any way, this would be sufficient to explain the irreducible quantum mechanical indeterminism. Consequently, the true behavior of elementary particles, whether indeterminist or determinist, would never be detectable. Above the cut, on the other hand, variations in device performance are inevitable, due to reducible perturbing factors, inducing measurement wJciation of devices Heisenberg discovered a general principle of ambivalent detection systems, which can also be found in the macrocosm. In the Wilson Cloud Chamber, vapor is an ambivalent detection system, since high-energy charged particles would produce straight tracks, whereas those of lower energy would leave an irregular trace. According to the epistemic interpretation, von Neumann＇s extrapolation of irreducible quantum mechanical indeterminism to the entire universe would not be necessary, thereby avoiding the uncomfortable conclusion that the entire universe is based on indeterminism
