Berlin 2012 – scientific programme

Parts | Days | Selection | Search | Updates | Downloads | Help

AGPhil: Arbeitsgruppe Philosophie der Physik

AGPhil 2: "Condensed Metaphysics" II: Specific Models

AGPhil 2.3: Invited Talk

Monday, March 26, 2012, 16:30–17:15, E 020

Is the Quantum Theory of Laser Radiation a Mechanistic Theory? — •Meinard Kuhlmann — Institut für Philosophie, Universität Bremen

The quantum theory of laser radiation explains the behavior of laser light in a way that clearly seems at variance with the mechanistic model of explanation. First, as it is typical for complex systems, the detailed behavior of the component parts plays a surprisingly subordinate role. And second, being quantum objects these "parts" are not even individual things with determinate spatio-temporal properties. I want to show that despite of these apparent obstacles the quantum theory of laser radiation is a perfect example for a mechanistic explanation in a quantum physical setting, provided one adjusts the notion of mechanisms appropriately. One may presume that these adjustments are ad hoc and question-begging. However, I will lay out that the necessary adjustments are far more natural and less drastic than one may expect.