Questions of Truth and Quantum Theory (Religion)

by David Turell , Wednesday, March 04, 2009, 13:22 (5538 days ago) @ dhw

despite our ability to mathematically model it, it defies understanding[/i]."
 
> why not simply argue: we don't understand the behaviour of the physical world, so we should be prepared to believe in the creative power of physical matter to organize itself? Both hypotheses may seem equally incredible, but at least the second cuts out one mystery. Game and first set to William of Ockham (and George)? - But we do understand the quantum world. dhw has twisted Mark's meaning of the word 'understanding'. Our math formulas follow quantum mechanics beautifully. What is really amazing is how complex the quantum world is. Non-locality is the rule despite all efforts to disprove it (EPR thought experiment). There is a veritable zoo of subatomic particles, all organized in symmetrical patterns as if a designer took charge. The standard theory of particle cosmologic theory will be just about fully validated if the CERN LHC can get its act together and produce the predicted HIggs boson. And other weirdness involves the fact that a single quantum packet of energy is both a point or wave depending on how we decide to measure it. "We" control the form we 'see'. I think one needs to read a couple simple books on quantum theory to fully appreciate Mark's comment, but I know Mark is fully capable of defending his own viewpoint.