Skip Navigation


The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science Advance Access originally published online on July 31, 2007
The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science 2007 58(3):595-604; doi:10.1093/bjps/axm027
This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow All Versions of this Article:
58/3/595    most recent
axm027v1
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in ISI Web of Science
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My Personal Archive
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Muller, F. A.
Right arrow Articles by Seevinck, M. P.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us  
What's this?

Copyright © The Author 2007. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of British Society for the Philosophy of Science.

Is Standard Quantum Mechanics Technologically Inadequate?

F. A. Muller

Faculty of Philosophy, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Burg. Oudlaan 50, 3062 PA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Department of Physics & Astronomy, Utrecht University, Princetonplein 5, 3584 CC Utrecht, The Netherlands

M. P. Seevinck

Department of Physics & Astronomy, Utrecht University, Princetonplein 5, 3584 CC Utrecht, The Netherlands

f.a.muller{at}fwb.eur.nl

f.a.muller{at}phys.uu.nl

m.p.seevinck{at}phys.uu.nl


  Abstract

In a recent issue of this journal, P.E. Vermaas ([2005]) claims to have demonstrated that standard quantum mechanics is technologically inadequate in that it violates the ‘technical functions condition’. We argue that this claim is false because based on a ‘narrow’ interpretation of this technical functions condition that Vermaas can only accept on pain of contradiction. We also argue that if, in order to avoid this contradiction, the technical functions condition is interpreted ‘widely’ rather than ‘narrowly’, then Vermaas, argument for his claim collapses. The conclusion is that Vermaas' claim that standard quantum mechanics is technologically inadequate evaporates.

1 Introduction
2 The Narrow Interpretation
3 The Wide Interpretation
4 The Teleportation Scheme
5 Conclusions


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us    What's this?




Disclaimer:
Please note that abstracts for content published before 1996 were created through digital scanning and may therefore not exactly replicate the text of the original print issues. All efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, but the Publisher will not be held responsible for any remaining inaccuracies. If you require any further clarification, please contact our Customer Services Department.