QUANTUM METAPHYSICS - E-thesis

Bohm did not fear metaphysical re-evaluation and in many situations, his view concerning the
basis of reality can provide more practical propositions than for example the Copenhagen
interpretation. 671 Because of his ontological approach, Bohm was not however capable of reevaluating
the position of the external observer or seeing the limited area of application for the
ontological model he had created. In practical terms, the Bohmian model does not provide events
in the microscopic world with anything more than statistical forecasts in the way that quantum
mechanics does. It is also not possible to test the existence of quantum potential since this
depends on the amplitude of the wave function obtained from the Schrödinger equation, and a
particle’s initial values cannot be defined to a greater degree of accuracy than is set by the limits
of the uncertainty relationship.
Physicists have traditionally avoided postulating artificial structures of a type which theories do
not absolutely require and whose existence cannot in principle be tested. Even though it is
impossible to completely avoid the incorporation of metaphysical material into theoretical
interpretation, the incorporation of such material into physics results in problems. Natural
science has achieved great victories by avoiding speculative metaphysics and placing its trust in
the experimental method. 672 Bohr moved the development of his interpretation forward by
cautious evaluation of the correctness of earlier metaphysical assumptions and their tenability in
the light of new knowledge. If the quantity of metaphysical postulations allowed within physics
increases, the number of possible world models can clearly become infinite, and we do not have
empirical ways of selecting which of them are believable. Even though Bohm’s model can be
assessed as being unnecessarily metaphysical, the drawing of a line between physics and
metaphysics cannot however be carried out in an unambiguous manner.
The many-worlds interpretation
In the many-worlds interpretation, the universe is thought of as containing an infinite number of
parallel universes. Are these to be viewed as redundant metaphysical digression, or does
not want to consider an alternative way of thinking. See for example Cushing or Beller.
671 It can be argued that Bohm’s model is useful when, for example, making interference experiments with
biomolecules. The Copenhagen interpretation does not offer proper tools to deal with the border areas between the
quantum- and classical levels.
672 The history of science shows that hypotheses such as quantum potential which are based on empiricism and a
working formalism have often promoted science –probably more often than a positivistic ’denial’ which avoids
speculating about anything that lies behind observations. Hypotheses are required if the assumed new phenomena
are to be tested.
247