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SUMMARY:A response to pilot-wave theory - Matthew Donald
DTSTART:20090506T020000Z
DTEND:20090506T033000Z
UID:TALK18228@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Dr. Mike Towler
DESCRIPTION:Abstract: de Broglie-Bohm pilot-wave theory is an interpretati
 on of quantum mechanics which purports to present us with a real world in 
 which real particles guided by real waves hit real screens. I shall introd
 uce the interpretation and explain why I do not believe it to be an adequa
 te solution to the problem of understanding what quantum theory tells us a
 bout\nreality. Given that it is supposed to be a universal quantum theory\
 , I shall look at how pilot-wave theory copes with describing macroscopic 
 thermal systems and human observers. As a non-relativistic theory\, Bohmia
 n mechanics of course has difficulties with genuine physical particles suc
 h as quarks and photons\, but I shall suggest that it also has difficultie
 s with the sort\nof emergent phenomena which seem to arise naturally in th
 e framework of modern heuristic quantum theory. I shall consider how pilot
 -wave theory deals with non-locality and I shall ask whether any interpret
 ation of quantum theory can ever be fully compatible both with relativity 
 theory and with realism. At some time after the seminar\, I intend to make
  an extended version of my notes and overheads available from my web site 
 \n"here":http://www.bss.phy.cam.ac.uk/~mjd1014/bohma.html .\n\nAlthough my
  seminar will be self-contained\, it is a response to Mike Towler's splend
 id series of lectures advocating pilot-wave theory\, which are available a
 t\n\n"www.tcm.phy.cam.ac.uk/~mdt26/pilot_waves.html":http://www.tcm.phy.ca
 m.ac.uk/~mdt26/pilot_waves.html\n\nThe seminar will take place on Wednesda
 y 6th May 2009 at 3pm in the TCM Seminar Room on the top floor of the Mott
  building at the Cavendish Laboratory.
LOCATION:TCM Seminar Room
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