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Degruyter Opphil Opphil-2020-0010 147..160 ++
Open Philosophy 2020; 3: 147–160 Object Oriented Ontology and Its Critics Simon Weir* Living and Nonliving Occasionalism https://doi.org/10.1515/opphil-2020-0010 received November 05, 2019; accepted February 14, 2020 Abstract: Graham Harman’s Object-Oriented Ontology has employed a variant of occasionalist causation since 2002, with sensual objects acting as the mediators of causation between real objects. While the mechanism for living beings creating sensual objects is clear, how nonliving objects generate sensual objects is not. This essay sets out an interpretation of occasionalism where the mediating agency of nonliving contact is the virtual particles of nominally empty space. Since living, conscious, real objects need to hold sensual objects as sub-components, but nonliving objects do not, this leads to an explanation of why consciousness, in Object-Oriented Ontology, might be described as doubly withdrawn: a sensual sub-component of a withdrawn real object. Keywords: Graham Harman, ontology, objects, Timothy Morton, vicarious, screening, virtual particle, consciousness 1 Introduction When approaching Graham Harman’s fourfold ontology, it is relatively easy to understand the first steps if you begin from an anthropocentric position of naive realism: there are real objects that have their real qualities. Then apart from real objects are the objects of our perception, which Harman calls sensual objects, which are reduced distortions or caricatures of the real objects we perceive; and these sensual objects have their own sensual qualities. It is common sense that when we perceive a steaming espresso, for example, that we, as the perceivers, create the image of that espresso in our minds – this image being what Harman calls a sensual object – and that we supply the energy to produce this sensual object. -
On the Stability of Classical Orbits of the Hydrogen Ground State in Stochastic Electrodynamics
entropy Article On the Stability of Classical Orbits of the Hydrogen Ground State in Stochastic Electrodynamics Theodorus M. Nieuwenhuizen 1,2 1 Institute for Theoretical Physics, P.O. Box 94485, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands; [email protected]; Tel.: +31-20-525-6332 2 International Institute of Physics, UFRG, Av. O. Gomes de Lima, 1722, 59078-400 Natal-RN, Brazil Academic Editors: Gregg Jaeger and Andrei Khrennikov Received: 19 February 2016; Accepted: 31 March 2016; Published: 13 April 2016 Abstract: De la Peña 1980 and Puthoff 1987 show that circular orbits in the hydrogen problem of Stochastic Electrodynamics connect to a stable situation, where the electron neither collapses onto the nucleus nor gets expelled from the atom. Although the Cole-Zou 2003 simulations support the stability, our recent numerics always lead to self-ionisation. Here the de la Peña-Puthoff argument is extended to elliptic orbits. For very eccentric orbits with energy close to zero and angular momentum below some not-small value, there is on the average a net gain in energy for each revolution, which explains the self-ionisation. Next, an 1/r2 potential is added, which could stem from a dipolar deformation of the nuclear charge by the electron at its moving position. This shape retains the analytical solvability. When it is enough repulsive, the ground state of this modified hydrogen problem is predicted to be stable. The same conclusions hold for positronium. Keywords: Stochastic Electrodynamics; hydrogen ground state; stability criterion PACS: 11.10; 05.20; 05.30; 03.65 1. Introduction Stochastic Electrodynamics (SED) is a subquantum theory that considers the quantum vacuum as a true physical vacuum with its zero-point modes being physical electromagnetic modes (see [1,2]). -
A Simple Proof That the Many-Worlds Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics Is Inconsistent
A simple proof that the many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics is inconsistent Shan Gao Research Center for Philosophy of Science and Technology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, P. R. China E-mail: [email protected]. December 25, 2018 Abstract The many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics is based on three key assumptions: (1) the completeness of the physical description by means of the wave function, (2) the linearity of the dynamics for the wave function, and (3) multiplicity. In this paper, I argue that the combination of these assumptions may lead to a contradiction. In order to avoid the contradiction, we must drop one of these key assumptions. The many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics (MWI) assumes that the wave function of a physical system is a complete description of the system, and the wave function always evolves in accord with the linear Schr¨odingerequation. In order to solve the measurement problem, MWI further assumes that after a measurement with many possible results there appear many equally real worlds, in each of which there is a measuring device which obtains a definite result (Everett, 1957; DeWitt and Graham, 1973; Barrett, 1999; Wallace, 2012; Vaidman, 2014). In this paper, I will argue that MWI may give contradictory predictions for certain unitary time evolution. Consider a simple measurement situation, in which a measuring device M interacts with a measured system S. When the state of S is j0iS, the state of M does not change after the interaction: j0iS jreadyiM ! j0iS jreadyiM : (1) When the state of S is j1iS, the state of M changes and it obtains a mea- surement result: j1iS jreadyiM ! j1iS j1iM : (2) 1 The interaction can be represented by a unitary time evolution operator, U. -
The Casimir-Polder Effect and Quantum Friction Across Timescales Handelt Es Sich Um Meine Eigen- Ständig Erbrachte Leistung
THECASIMIR-POLDEREFFECT ANDQUANTUMFRICTION ACROSSTIMESCALES JULIANEKLATT Physikalisches Institut Fakultät für Mathematik und Physik Albert-Ludwigs-Universität THECASIMIR-POLDEREFFECTANDQUANTUMFRICTION ACROSSTIMESCALES DISSERTATION zu Erlangung des Doktorgrades der Fakultät für Mathematik und Physik Albert-Ludwigs Universität Freiburg im Breisgau vorgelegt von Juliane Klatt 2017 DEKAN: Prof. Dr. Gregor Herten BETREUERDERARBEIT: Dr. Stefan Yoshi Buhmann GUTACHTER: Dr. Stefan Yoshi Buhmann Prof. Dr. Tanja Schilling TAGDERVERTEIDIGUNG: 11.07.2017 PRÜFER: Prof. Dr. Jens Timmer Apl. Prof. Dr. Bernd von Issendorff Dr. Stefan Yoshi Buhmann © 2017 Those years, when the Lamb shift was the central theme of physics, were golden years for all the physicists of my generation. You were the first to see that this tiny shift, so elusive and hard to measure, would clarify our thinking about particles and fields. — F. J. Dyson on occasion of the 65th birthday of W. E. Lamb, Jr. [54] Man kann sich darüber streiten, ob die Welt aus Atomen aufgebaut ist, oder aus Geschichten. — R. D. Precht [165] ABSTRACT The quantum vacuum is subject to continuous spontaneous creation and annihi- lation of matter and radiation. Consequently, an atom placed in vacuum is being perturbed through the interaction with such fluctuations. This results in the Lamb shift of atomic levels and spontaneous transitions between atomic states — the properties of the atom are being shaped by the vacuum. Hence, if the latter is be- ing shaped itself, then this reflects in the atomic features and dynamics. A prime example is the Casimir-Polder effect where a macroscopic body, introduced to the vacuum in which the atom resides, causes a position dependence of the Lamb shift. -
Dynamic Quantum Vacuum and Relativity
Dynamic Quantum Vacuum and Relativity Davide Fiscaletti*, Amrit Sorli** *SpaceLife Institute, San Lorenzo in Campo (PU), Italy **Foundations of Physics Institute, Idrija, Slovenia [email protected] [email protected] Abstract A model of a three-dimensional quantum vacuum with variable energy density is proposed. In this model, time we measure with clocks is only a mathematical parameter of material changes, i.e. motion in quantum vacuum. Inertial mass and gravitational mass have origin in dynamics between a given particle or massive body and diminished energy density of quantum vacuum. Each elementary particle is a structure of quantum vacuum and diminishes quantum vacuum energy density. Symmetry “particle – diminished energy density of quantum vacuum” is the fundamental symmetry of the universe which gives origin to mass and gravity. Special relativity’s Sagnac effect in GPS system and important predictions of general relativity such as precessions of the planets, the Shapiro time delay of light signals in a gravitational field and the geodetic and frame-dragging effects recently tested by Gravity Probe B, have origin in the dynamics of the quantum vacuum which rotates with the earth. Gravitational constant GN and velocity of light c have small deviations of their value which are related to the variable energy density of quantum vacuum. Key words: energy density of quantum vacuum, Sagnac effect, relativity, dark energy, Mercury precession, symmetry, gravitational constant. PACS numbers: 04. ; 04.20-q ; 04.50.Kd ; 04.60.-m. 1. Introduction The idea of 19th century physics that space is filled with “ether” did not get experimental prove in order to remain a valid concept of today physics. -
Abstract for Non Ideal Measurements by David Albert (Philosophy, Columbia) and Barry Loewer (Philosophy, Rutgers)
Abstract for Non Ideal Measurements by David Albert (Philosophy, Columbia) and Barry Loewer (Philosophy, Rutgers) We have previously objected to "modal interpretations" of quantum theory by showing that these interpretations do not solve the measurement problem since they do not assign outcomes to non_ideal measurements. Bub and Healey replied to our objection by offering alternative accounts of non_ideal measurements. In this paper we argue first, that our account of non_ideal measurements is correct and second, that even if it is not it is very likely that interactions which we called non_ideal measurements actually occur and that such interactions possess outcomes. A defense of of the modal interpretation would either have to assign outcomes to these interactions, show that they don't have outcomes, or show that in fact they do not occur in nature. Bub and Healey show none of these. Key words: Foundations of Quantum Theory, The Measurement Problem, The Modal Interpretation, Non_ideal measurements. Non_Ideal Measurements Some time ago, we raised a number of rather serious objections to certain so_called "modal" interpretations of quantum theory (Albert and Loewer, 1990, 1991).1 Andrew Elby (1993) recently developed one of these objections (and added some of his own), and Richard Healey (1993) and Jeffrey Bub (1993) have recently published responses to us and Elby. It is the purpose of this note to explain why we think that their responses miss the point of our original objection. Since Elby's, Bub's, and Healey's papers contain excellent descriptions both of modal theories and of our objection to them, only the briefest review of these matters will be necessary here. -
1 Does Consciousness Really Collapse the Wave Function?
Does consciousness really collapse the wave function?: A possible objective biophysical resolution of the measurement problem Fred H. Thaheld* 99 Cable Circle #20 Folsom, Calif. 95630 USA Abstract An analysis has been performed of the theories and postulates advanced by von Neumann, London and Bauer, and Wigner, concerning the role that consciousness might play in the collapse of the wave function, which has become known as the measurement problem. This reveals that an error may have been made by them in the area of biology and its interface with quantum mechanics when they called for the reduction of any superposition states in the brain through the mind or consciousness. Many years later Wigner changed his mind to reflect a simpler and more realistic objective position, expanded upon by Shimony, which appears to offer a way to resolve this issue. The argument is therefore made that the wave function of any superposed photon state or states is always objectively changed within the complex architecture of the eye in a continuous linear process initially for most of the superposed photons, followed by a discontinuous nonlinear collapse process later for any remaining superposed photons, thereby guaranteeing that only final, measured information is presented to the brain, mind or consciousness. An experiment to be conducted in the near future may enable us to simultaneously resolve the measurement problem and also determine if the linear nature of quantum mechanics is violated by the perceptual process. Keywords: Consciousness; Euglena; Linear; Measurement problem; Nonlinear; Objective; Retina; Rhodopsin molecule; Subjective; Wave function collapse. * e-mail address: [email protected] 1 1. -
Lamb Shift Spotted in Cold Gases
VIEWPOINT Lamb Shift Spotted in Cold Gases Cold atomic gases exhibit a phononic analog of the Lamb shift, in which energy levels shift in the presence of the quantum vacuum. by Vera Guarrera∗,y ccording to quantum mechanics, vacuum is not just empty space. Instead, it boils with fluctu- ations—virtual photons popping in and out of existence—that can affect particles embedded in Ait. The celebrated Lamb shift, first observed in 1947 by Willis Lamb and Robert Retherford [1], is a seminal example of this phenomenon (see 27 July 2012 Focus story). The Lamb shift is a tiny difference in energy between two levels of a hy- drogen atom that should otherwise have the same energy in classical empty space (see Fig. 1). It arises because zero-point fluctuations of the electromagnetic field in vacuum perturb the position of the hydrogen atom’s single bound electron. The observation of the effect had a disruptive impact on the developments of quantum mechanics as, at the time, theory had no explanation for it. This paradigmatic model can be applied to different phys- ical systems. For example, we can create a solid-state analog Figure 1: The Lamb shift is an energy shift of the energy levels of the hydrogen atom caused by the coupling of the atom's electron of the Lamb shift if we replace hydrogen’s electron with an to fluctuations in the vacuum. A similar scenario has been realized electron bound to a defect in a semiconductor, and replace by Rentrop et al. [3] in an ultracold atom experiment. -
Collapse Theories
View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by PhilSci Archive Collapse Theories Peter J. Lewis The collapse postulate in quantum mechanics is problematic. In standard presentations of the theory, the state of a system prior to a measurement is a sum of terms, with one term representing each possible outcome of the measurement. According to the collapse postulate, a measurement precipitates a discontinuous jump to one of these terms; the others disappear. The reason this is problematic is that there are good reasons to think that measurement per se cannot initiate a new kind of physical process. This is the measurement problem, discussed in section 1 below. The problem here lies not with collapse, but with the appeal to measurement. That is, a theory that could underwrite the collapse process just described without ineliminable reference to measurement would constitute a solution to the measurement problem. This is the strategy pursued by dynamical (or spontaneous) collapse theories, which differ from standard presentations in that they replace the measurement-based collapse postulate with a dynamical mechanism formulated in terms of universal physical laws. Various dynamical collapse theories of quantum mechanics have been proposed; they are discussed in section 2. But dynamical collapse theories face a number of challenges. First, they make different empirical predictions from standard quantum mechanics, and hence are potentially empirically refutable. Of course, testability is a virtue, but since we have no empirical reason to think that systems ever undergo collapse, dynamical collapse theories are inherently empirically risky. Second, there are difficulties reconciling the dynamical collapse mechanism with special relativity. -
Advanced Propulsion Physics: Harnessing the Quantum Vacuum
Nuclear and Emerging Technologies for Space (2012) 3082.pdf Advanced Propulsion Physics: Harnessing the Quantum Vacuum. H. White 1 and P. March 2, 1NASA JSC, NASA Pkwy, M/C EP411, Houston, TX 77058 [email protected] 2NASA JSC [email protected] . Introduction: Can the properties of the to be pulled apart. Although the forces have typically quantum vacuum be used to propel a spacecraft? The been small, from a practical perspective, micro- idea of pushing off the vacuum is not new, in fact the electromechanical systems (MEMS) are already utiliz- idea of a “quantum ramjet drive” was proposed by ing this phenomenon in design application. Arthur C. Clark (proposer of geosynchronous commu- How much energy is in the Quantum Va- nications satellites in 1945) in the book Songs of Dis- cuum? The theoretical calculation for the absolute zero tant Earth in 1985: “If vacuum fluctuations can be har- ground state of the QV can be calculated using the nessed for propulsion by anyone besides science- following equation[7]: ω fiction writers, the purely engineering problems of cutoff hω 3 interstellar flight would be solved.” [1]. When this = ω E0 ∫ 2 3 d question is viewed strictly classically, the answer is 2π c ω=0 clearly no, as there is no reaction mass to be used to Using the Plank frequency as upper cutoff yields a conserve momentum. However, Quantum Electrody- prediction of ~10 114 J/m 3. Current astronomical obser- namics (QED)[2], which has made predictions verified vations put the critical density at 1*10 -26 kg/m 3. -
Stochastic Quantum Potential Noise and Quantum Measurement
Chapter 7 Stochastic Quantum Potential Noise and Quantum Measurement Wei Wen Additional information is available at the end of the chapter http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.74253 Abstract Quantum measurement is the greatest problem in quantum theory. In fact, different views for the quantum measurement cause different schools of thought in quantum theory. The quandaries of quantum measurement are mainly concentrated in “stochastic measurement space”, “instantaneous measurement process” and “basis-preferred measurement space.” These quandaries are incompatible with classical physical laws and discussed many years but still unsolved. In this chapter, we introduce a new theory that provided a new scope to interpret the quantum measurement. This theory tells us the quandaries of quantum mea- surement are due to the nonlocal correlation and stochastic quantum potential noise. The quantum collapse had been completed by the noised world before we looked, and the moon is here independent of our observations. Keywords: quantum measurement, quantum collapse, quantum potential noise, Feynman path integral 1. Introduction Schrödinger cat was born from the thought experiment of Schrödinger in 1935. However, after more than 80 years, we still do not know whether it is dead or alive in its sealed box. According to the modern quantum mechanics, based on Copenhagen interpretation, the fate of this cat is entangled with the Geiger counter monitor in its box, and the cat is in a “mixed state”—both dead and alive—if we do not open the box to look at it. It is a miserable and mystical cat, which seems its fate depends on our look. -
Three-Dimensional Imaging of Cavity Vacuum with Single Atoms Localized by a Nanohole Array
ARTICLE Received 9 Aug 2013 | Accepted 12 Feb 2014 | Published 7 Mar 2014 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms4441 Three-dimensional imaging of cavity vacuum with single atoms localized by a nanohole array Moonjoo Lee1,w, Junki Kim1, Wontaek Seo1, Hyun-Gue Hong1, Younghoon Song1, Ramachandra R. Dasari2 & Kyungwon An1 Zero-point electromagnetic fields were first introduced to explain the origin of atomic spontaneous emission. Vacuum fluctuations associated with the zero-point energy in cavities are now utilized in quantum devices such as single-photon sources, quantum memories, switches and network nodes. Here we present three-dimensional (3D) imaging of vacuum fluctuations in a high-Q cavity based on the measurement of position-dependent emission of single atoms. Atomic position localization is achieved by using a nanoscale atomic beam aperture scannable in front of the cavity mode. The 3D structure of the cavity vacuum is reconstructed from the cavity output. The root mean squared amplitude of the vacuum field at the antinode is also measured to be 0.92±0.07 Vcm À 1. The present work utilizing a single atom as a probe for sub-wavelength imaging demonstrates the utility of nanometre- scale technology in cavity quantum electrodynamics. 1 Department of Physics and Astronomy, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-747, Korea. 2 G. R. Harrison Spectroscopy Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA. w Present address: Institute for Quantum Electronics, ETH Zu¨rich, Zu¨rich CH-8093, Switzerland. Correspondence and requests for materials should be addressed to K.A. (email: [email protected]). NATURE COMMUNICATIONS | 5:3441 | DOI: 10.1038/ncomms4441 | www.nature.com/naturecommunications 1 & 2014 Macmillan Publishers Limited.