The Undivided Universe, by David Bohm & B. J. Hiley [ReUp]

The Undivided Universe, by David Bohm & B. J. Hiley

1993 | Routledge | xii+397 pages | ISBN 0415065887 | DjVu @ 600 dpi | 7.6 MB

Bohm's idea is that the electron is a point particle as in classical mechanics, but that its trajectory is influenced by what he called the quantum potential, a new type of non-classical physical field derived [in a straightforward way] from the wave function.He thus provides an 'ontology' that contrasts with the conventional interpretation which is concerned solely with our (statistical) knowledge of the world.In his original papers [1952 and on] he showed how the statistical predictions of quantum mechanics could be generated through an ensemble of individually well defined causal motions.

The book is intended to bring this idea up to date (1993) and describes in mathematical terms how to develop ontological explanations for many classic quantum phenomena, including transitions, interference and relativistic effects.A careful analysis is given to show that the causal theory cannot be excluded on grounds of naturalness or economy of concepts, for all the interpretations of quantum mechanics proposed so far entail assumptions that go beyond the basic formalism.But Bohm's theory has the major advantage of conceptual clarity, and the paradoxes that afflict other views simply do not arise.

One reason the theory has been dismissed is that it implies a deep interconectedness of distant systems, or 'nonlocality', although, as pointed out by the authors, the orthodox view also involves nonlocality in an essential way.Indeed, the authors show a deeper appreciation of the meaning of the conventional interpretation than do many of its proponents.Most contemporary presentations still imply that history bequeathed us a homogeneous quantum world view.It is rarely remarked that Bohr, Heisenberg and von Neumann differed significantly in their analyses, von Neumann's concept of the 'quantum state' of an atomic system being incompatible with Bohr's notion that systems cannot be conceived independently of the means by which they are observed.It would help students considerably if this confusion in the official quantum story was openly admitted.

[....] It was contemplation of Bohm's theory 30 years ago that prompted Bell to formulate his famous theorem distinguishing local from nonlocal theories.I hope that this book will further stimulate current investigations into causal theories in quantum physics.(P.R. Holland, Nature)

Peter Holland wrote his own, longerabout Bohm's approach to quantum theory, at about the same time. For a more recent presentation which claims to be mathematically complete,(Bohmsche Mechanik by Detlef Dürr)has recently been translated into English.

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