The intrinsic interest of the question of interpretation of quantum mechanics
The question of what quantum mechanics means has been considered one of the universe’s great mysteries. As such, people interested in physics have been highly motivated to understand it. So I think that the question is privileged relative to other questions that physicists would have opinions on — it’s not an arbitrary question outside of the domain of their research accomplishments.
My understanding is that the interpretation of QM is (1) not regarded as a very central question in physics, being seen more as a “philosophy” question and being worked on to a reasonable extent by philosophers of physics and physicists who see it as a hobby horse, (2) is not something that physics expertise—having good physical intuition, strong math skills, detailed knowledge of how to apply QM on concrete problems—is as relevant for as many other questions physicists work on, and (3) is not something about which there is an extremely enormous amount to say. These are some of the main reasons I feel I can update at all from the expert distribution of physicists on this question. I would hardly update at all from physicist opinions on, say, quantum gravity vs. string theory, and I think it would basically be crazy for me to update substantially in one direction or the other if I had comparable experience on that question.
[ETA: As evidence of (1), I might point to the prevalence of the “shut up and calculate” mentality which seems to have been reasonably popular in physics for a while. I’d also point to the fact that Copenhagen is popular but really, really, really, really not good. And I feel that this last claim is not just Nick Beckstead’s idiosyncratic opinion, but the opinion of every philosopher of physics I have ever spoken with about this issue.]
I believe you are using bad terminology. ‘Quantum gravity’ refers to any attempt to reconcile quantum mechanics and general relativity, and string theory is one such theory (as well as a theory of everything). Perhaps you are referring to loop quantum gravity, or more broadly, to any theory of quantum gravity other than string theory?
Perhaps I should have meant loop quantum gravity. I confess that I am speaking beyond my depth, and was just trying to give an example of a central dispute in current theoretical physics. That is the type of case where I would not like to lean heavily on my own perspective.
My understanding is that the interpretation of QM is (1) not regarded as a very central question in physics, being seen more as a “philosophy” question and being worked on to a reasonable extent by philosophers of physics and physicists who see it as a hobby horse,
I agree if we’re talking about the median theoretical physicist at a top 5 school, but when one gets further toward the top of the hierarchy, one starts to see a high density of people who are all-around intellectually curious and who explore natural questions that they come across independently of whether they’re part of their official research.
(2) is not something that physics expertise—having good physical intuition, strong math skills, detailed knowledge of how to apply QM on concrete problems—is as relevant for as many other questions physicists work on
I agree, but a priori I suspect that philosophers of physics and others without heavy subject matter knowledge of quantum mechanics have leaned too heavily on this. Spending one’s life thinking about something can result subconscious acquisition of implicit knowledge of things that are obliquely related. People who haven’t had this experience may be at a disadvantage.
I would hardly update at all from physicist opinions on, say, quantum gravity vs. string theory, and I think it would basically be crazy for me to update substantially in one direction or the other if I had comparable experience on that question.
I actually think that it’s possible for somebody without subject matter knowledge to rationally develop priors that are substantially different from expert consensus here. One can do this by consulting physicists who visibly have high epistemic rationality outside of physics, by examining sociological factors that may have led to the status quo, and by watching physicists who disagree debate each other and see which of the points they respond to and which ones they don’t.
[ETA: As evidence of (1), I might point to the prevalence of the “shut up and calculate” mentality which seems to have been reasonably popular in physics for a while. I’d also point to the fact that Copenhagen is popular but really, really, really, really not good. And I feel that this last claim is not just Nick Beckstead’s idiosyncratic opinion, but the opinion of every philosopher of physics I have ever spoken with about this issue.]
I agree, but a priori I suspect that philosophers of physics and others without heavy subject matter knowledge of quantum mechanics have leaned too heavily on this. Spending one’s life thinking about something can result subconscious acquisition of implicit knowledge of things that are obliquely related. People who haven’t had this experience may be at a disadvantage.
But note that philosophers of physics sometimes make whole careers thinking about this, and they are among the most high-caliber philosophers. They may be at an advantage in terms of this criterion.
I can’t think of a reference in print for my claim about what almost all philosophers think. I think a lot of them would find it too obvious to say, and wouldn’t bother to write a paper about it. But, for what it’s worth, I attended a couple of conferences on philosophy of physics held at Rutgers, with many leading people in the field, and talked about this question and never heard anyone express an opposing opinion. And I was taught about interpretations of QM from some leading people in philosophy of physics.
What I’m anchoring on here is the situation in the field of philosophy of math, where lack of experience with the practice of math seriously undercuts most philosophers’ ability to do it well. There are exceptions, for example I consider Imre Lakatos to be one. Maybe the situation is different in philosophy of physics.
I agree, but a priori I suspect that philosophers of physics and others without heavy subject matter knowledge of quantum mechanics have leaned too heavily on this. Spending one’s life thinking about something can result subconscious acquisition of implicit knowledge of things that are obliquely related. People who haven’t had this experience may be at a disadvantage.
But note that philosophers of physics sometimes make whole careers thinking about this, and they are among the most high-caliber philosophers. They may be at an advantage in terms of this criterion.
I can’t think of a reference in print for my claim about what almost all philosophers think. I think a lot of them would find it too obvious to say, and wouldn’t bother to write a paper about it. But, for what it’s worth, I attended a couple of conferences on philosophy of physics held at Rutgers, with many leading people in the field, and talked about this question and never heard anyone express an opposing opinion. And I was taught about interpretations of QM from some leading people in philosophy of physics.
My understanding is that the interpretation of QM is (1) not regarded as a very central question in physics, being seen more as a “philosophy” question and being worked on to a reasonable extent by philosophers of physics and physicists who see it as a hobby horse, (2) is not something that physics expertise—having good physical intuition, strong math skills, detailed knowledge of how to apply QM on concrete problems—is as relevant for as many other questions physicists work on, and (3) is not something about which there is an extremely enormous amount to say. These are some of the main reasons I feel I can update at all from the expert distribution of physicists on this question. I would hardly update at all from physicist opinions on, say, quantum gravity vs. string theory, and I think it would basically be crazy for me to update substantially in one direction or the other if I had comparable experience on that question.
[ETA: As evidence of (1), I might point to the prevalence of the “shut up and calculate” mentality which seems to have been reasonably popular in physics for a while. I’d also point to the fact that Copenhagen is popular but really, really, really, really not good. And I feel that this last claim is not just Nick Beckstead’s idiosyncratic opinion, but the opinion of every philosopher of physics I have ever spoken with about this issue.]
A minor quibble.
I believe you are using bad terminology. ‘Quantum gravity’ refers to any attempt to reconcile quantum mechanics and general relativity, and string theory is one such theory (as well as a theory of everything). Perhaps you are referring to loop quantum gravity, or more broadly, to any theory of quantum gravity other than string theory?
Perhaps I should have meant loop quantum gravity. I confess that I am speaking beyond my depth, and was just trying to give an example of a central dispute in current theoretical physics. That is the type of case where I would not like to lean heavily on my own perspective.
I agree if we’re talking about the median theoretical physicist at a top 5 school, but when one gets further toward the top of the hierarchy, one starts to see a high density of people who are all-around intellectually curious and who explore natural questions that they come across independently of whether they’re part of their official research.
I agree, but a priori I suspect that philosophers of physics and others without heavy subject matter knowledge of quantum mechanics have leaned too heavily on this. Spending one’s life thinking about something can result subconscious acquisition of implicit knowledge of things that are obliquely related. People who haven’t had this experience may be at a disadvantage.
I actually think that it’s possible for somebody without subject matter knowledge to rationally develop priors that are substantially different from expert consensus here. One can do this by consulting physicists who visibly have high epistemic rationality outside of physics, by examining sociological factors that may have led to the status quo, and by watching physicists who disagree debate each other and see which of the points they respond to and which ones they don’t.
Can you give a reference?
But note that philosophers of physics sometimes make whole careers thinking about this, and they are among the most high-caliber philosophers. They may be at an advantage in terms of this criterion.
I can’t think of a reference in print for my claim about what almost all philosophers think. I think a lot of them would find it too obvious to say, and wouldn’t bother to write a paper about it. But, for what it’s worth, I attended a couple of conferences on philosophy of physics held at Rutgers, with many leading people in the field, and talked about this question and never heard anyone express an opposing opinion. And I was taught about interpretations of QM from some leading people in philosophy of physics.
What I’m anchoring on here is the situation in the field of philosophy of math, where lack of experience with the practice of math seriously undercuts most philosophers’ ability to do it well. There are exceptions, for example I consider Imre Lakatos to be one. Maybe the situation is different in philosophy of physics.
But note that philosophers of physics sometimes make whole careers thinking about this, and they are among the most high-caliber philosophers. They may be at an advantage in terms of this criterion.
I can’t think of a reference in print for my claim about what almost all philosophers think. I think a lot of them would find it too obvious to say, and wouldn’t bother to write a paper about it. But, for what it’s worth, I attended a couple of conferences on philosophy of physics held at Rutgers, with many leading people in the field, and talked about this question and never heard anyone express an opposing opinion. And I was taught about interpretations of QM from some leading people in philosophy of physics.
Er, http://lesswrong.com/lw/r8/and_the_winner_is_manyworlds/ maybe.