fredag 10 mars 2023

Leibniz on Quantum Mechanics



Leibniz as the greatest polymath of all times would have had a hard time to swallow the modern physics of the standard version of quantum mechanics here referred to as stdQM, because it violates his Principle of Identity of Indescernibles PII stating that: 

  • No two objects have exactly the same properties.
That PII is valid in the macroscopic world is non-disputable: A set of objects even if identical as concerns intrinsic properties maintain descernibility/individuality by occupying different regions of physical space as an expression of Exclusive Occupancy. The stars in the sky, even if they all look alike, are discernible by their position. The red balls of snooker billiard game even if all alike, are descernible by their position. No big deal.

But things are supposed to be different in the microscopic world described by stdQM, where electrons are not supposed to occupy specific regions in a physical space and time and so have a physicality which is fundamentally different from macroscopics. In other words, electrons (modulo spin) are viewed to be indescernible by having all the same properties (modulo spin) including no specific location in space and time. Yet the electrons are not viewed to be identical because in the wave function of stdQM they are assigned different coordinates. 

In other words, stdQM violates PII, which means that stdQM is not physics according to Leibniz. 

On the other hand, in RealQM electrons are discernible by Exclusive Occupancy, and so could be embraced by Leibniz.  

This connects to the question if the microscopic world must be conceptually different from the macroscopic world: stdQM says yes, and RealQM no.

Leibniz expresses his view on the microscopic world in his theory of monads as mind-like simple substances with individuality endowed with perception and appetite from which bodies, motion and everything else is derived. This closely connects to RealQM with protons and electrons as non-overlapping charged clouds interacting by Coulomb forces as expression of perception and appetite.

Individuality is important because it makes a distinction between one specific body/monad/electron and other bodies/monads/electrons, and thus takes care of the problem of self-interaction, which if present can be lethal like an auto-immune reaction.  This is the case in quantum field theory riddled with infinites from self-interaction. 

It is possible that control of self-interaction is a necessary capability in physics as well as in chemistry, biology and sociology. If we as human beings cannot make a distinction between our own mind/body and the minds/bodies of others, then we have a problem as well as society.

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