Polls in Science

Quantum theory is based on a clear mathematical apparatus, has enormous signi ficance for the natural sciences, enjoys phenomenal predictive success, and plays a critical role in modern technological
developments. Yet, nearly 90 years after the theory’s development, there is still no consensus in the
scientifi c community regarding the interpretation of the theory’s foundational building blocks. Our
poll is an urgent reminder of this peculiar situation.

Foundational investigations in quantum mechanics, both experimental and theoretical, gave
birth to the field of quantum information science. Nevertheless, the foundations of quantum
mechanics themselves remain hotly debated in the scienti c community, and no consensus on
essential questions has been reached. Here, we present the results of a poll carried out among
33 participants of a conference on the foundations of quantum mechanics. The participants
completed a questionnaire containing 16 multiple-choice questions probing opinions on quantum-
foundational issues. Participants included physicists, philosophers, and mathematicians. We
describe our fi ndings, identify commonly held views, and determine strong, medium, and weak
correlations between the answers. Our study provides a unique snapshot of current views in the
fi eld of quantum foundations, as well as an analysis of the relationships between these views.

http://arxiv.org/pdf/1301.1069v1.pdf

More: http://quantumfrontiers.com/2013/01/10/a-poll-on-the-foundations-of-quantum-theory/

http://www.theory.caltech.edu/people/preskill/ph229/notes/chap2.pdf

Saka, ka zinātnē neko nerisina ar balsošanu, bet izrādās, ka tā tas ir tikai nostabilizētās nozarēs. Tādās intensīvi pētītās nozarēs, kā kosmoloģikskie modeļi, elementārdaļiņu teorija, kvantu mehānika, – zinātnieku viedokļi ir atšķirīgi, var teikt, ka tur ‘notiek balsošana’.

Piemēram, 18% zinātnieku vēl joprojām atbalsta MWI (many worlds interpretation) – uzskatu, ka kvantu procesu varbūtību sadalījums ir reāls, un šī sadalījuma atsevišķie notikumi jeb iznākumi arī notiek kaut kādās reālās, daudzās pasaulēs (many worlds), un mūsu realitātē, mūsu pasaulē notiek tas viens process, kuru pēc viļņu funkcijas kolapsa arī novērojam.

Balsošanas nozaru sarakstu varam turpināt: komplicētības rašanās un evolūcija (dzīvība, apziņa), cilvēku sabiedrības attīstības modeļi un vērtību avoti, mākslīgā inteliģence un cilvēces nākotne, u.t.t.

About basicrulesoflife

Year 1935. Interests: Contemporary society problems, quality of life, happiness, understanding and changing ourselves - everything based on scientific evidence.
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