Hermeneutics as a conceptual model for an ontological evaluation of quantum theory

A. Rebaglia

pp. 395-405

in: Claudio Garola, Arcangelo Rossi (eds), The foundations of quantum mechanics, Berlin, Springer, 1995

Abstract

The philosophical issues involved in establishing quantum conceptual foundations are first summarised. Then the analogous models historically advanced by quantum physicists to regard those conceptual demands are shortly analysed. The fathers of quantum mechanics had to take into account two different bounding lines, being aware on one side of the needing to refer to some peculiar philosophical framework and on the other of the awful consequence of quantum revolution, which makes all philosophical systems advanced before the quantum development unable to satisfy quantum interpretative exigencies. The want of any plausible quantum model following from some philosophical features becomes manifest when considering both this goal and the above mentioned limits. Finally, a new model will be presented, more powerful in our opinion, based on the hermeneutical philosophy. It is noteworthy that the authors of quantum "revolution" never contemplated this kind of model, though hermeneutics took a significant part in the cultural movement which gave rise to quantum theory as well. A careful examination of the hermeneutic model is then required, to evidence its capability in disentangling the complex knot of unsolved conceptual inquiries that quantum perspective involves.