Single Idea 20466

[catalogued under 27. Natural Reality / B. Modern Physics / 2. Electrodynamics / d. Quantum mechanics]

Full Idea

Quantum Theory does not describe things as they are: it describes how things occur and interact with each other. It doesn't describe where there is a particle but how it shows itself to others. The world of existence is reduced to possible interactions.

Gist of Idea

Quantum Theory describes events and possible interactions - not how things are

Source

Carlo Rovelli (Reality is Not What it Seems [2014], 04)

Book Reference

Rovelli,Carlo: 'Reality is Not What it Seems', ed/tr. Carnell/Segre [Penguin 2016], p.115


A Reaction

Fans of 'process philosophy' should like this, though he is not denying that there may be facts about how things are - it is just that this is not mentioned in the theory. There is not much point in philosophers yearning to know the reality.