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The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science Advance Access published online on July 31, 2007
The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science, doi:10.1093/bjps/axm027
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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


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