Einstein, Bohr and the Quantum Dilemma [Hardcover]

Andrew Whitaker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 26, 1996 | ISBN-10: 0521482208 | ISBN-13: 978-0521482202

The debate between Bohr and Einstein, which raged in the 1920s and 1930s, is still highly relevant today. It involved the two greatest physicists of the twentieth century and played a large part in Einstein's going into an effective scientific exile. The debate concerned the quantum theory, probably the most successful physical theory of all time. This book explores the details of the conflict, as well as its significance for contemporary views on the foundations of quantum theory. The author gives sympathetic accounts of the views of both Bohr and Einstein, and a thorough study of the argument between them. The book also includes nontechnical and nonmathematical accounts of the development of quantum theory and relativity, as well as the work of David Bohm and John Bell in the 1950s and 1960s that restored interest in Einstein's views. The author also includes a full account of the many current experimental and theoretical developments in quantum theory.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...it is a useful addition to the growing literature on the conceptual challenges posed by QM regarding the way we think or perceive nature." Kishin Mariwalla, Mathematical Reviews

"...provides a clear review of the experimental evidence, the theoretical arguments and the personalities that make up the century-long story of quantum theory. Second in scrupulously objective fashion it surveys current work on the theory's foundations. And third, it implicitly gives dignity to the solitary stance of Einstein during his Princeton years, when he was viewed by his colleagues as, to use Einstein's own characterization of their opinions, an `old fool.'" Richard Smith, Science & Society

Book Description

The quantum theory debate between Bohr and Einstein, which raged in the 1920s and 1930s, and is still highly relevant today, involved the two greatest physicists of the twentieth century, and played a large part in Einstein's scientific exile.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 367 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (January 26, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521482208
• ISBN-13: 978-0521482202
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,069,356 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent overview, August 17, 2006

By 

Couder "JC" (Belgium) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Einstein, Bohr and the Quantum Dilemma: From Quantum Theory to Quantum Information (Paperback)

For students of physics, professional physicists and interested lay persons this is undoubtedly the most complete and objective overview of the many 'interpretations' of quantum mechanics as of today. For those interested in looking "behind the mathematical formalism of QM" an absolute must read.

One minor point of critique though: this book explicitly addresses lay persons (which is supposedly why you won't find many equations in the book). Although in chapters 2 - 4 prof Whitaker splendidly epitomizes the evolution of classical (with a glance at relativity) and quantum mechanics, I fear those readers not already familiar with physics may find this a little too terse (a lot of ground is covered in very few pages). Chapters 5 - 7 explaining the Bohr-Einstein debate and Bell's theorem are simply splendid reading for everyone. Chapter 8, rounding up recent developments, is very comprehensive, but again, the average lay person may find the summaries of quite a number of recent articles a bit tedious in the end (but ideal for students or physicists). Chapter 9 introduces quantum information theory, again a very good overview, but in my opinion a bit out of place and surely a subject that is worthy of a book on its own.

All in all, there are many good popular science books out there explaining one or two QM interpretations, but this one covers them all, and it's absolutely the best explaining the Bohr-Einstein debate and the impact of Bell's theorem on this debate.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dillema is spelt "dilemma", July 10, 2000

By 

R. H. Barton (UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Einstein, Bohr and the Quantum Dilemma (Paperback)

This book is an excellent introduction, summary of and history of the debate on interpretation of quantum theory, a subject which demands careful reading. As such, it may be read to profit by those interested in some of the twists and turns of "received opinion". It is not for those who might like their pages covered in equations (- the text discusses J S Bell's elucidation of Von Neumann's errors on the subject of hidden variable theories - a clear case where the mathematics concealed rather than revealed). The book is widely referenced which should have enough range of material to satisfy and extend readers at all levels. In my top ten on the subject area.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb history and introduction, May 19, 2006

By 

sargoxyz - See all my reviews

This review is from: Einstein, Bohr and the Quantum Dilemma (Paperback)

This is not a textbook; it is a combined history and introduction to modern physics. It is clear, well written and a good starting point for anyone interested in Relativity or Quantum Theory.