PHILOSOPHICAL FOUNDATIONS OF QUANTUM THEORY

Aim of the course: The aim of the course is to make the students familiar with the philosophical foundations of quantum theory, such as the structure and interpretation of quantum mechanics, the question of nonlocality and causality, the EPR problem and the Bell inequalities, the Kochen-Specker theorems and the quantum logical approach.

Prerequisites for the course: The course is self-contained; it does not presuppose the knowledge of quantum mechanics or the mathematical foundations thereof.

Course schedule:

1. The formalism of quantum theory
   
2. States and observables
3. The Hilbert space
4. Gleason's theorem
   
5. The quantum theory of spin
6. The EPR argument
7. The Bell inequalities
8. The logico-algebraic approach
9. Quantum probability
   
10. The Kochen-Specker theorem
    
11. Quantum measurement
12. Interpretations of quantum theory
    

Literature:

• M. Dickson: "Non-relativistic Quantum Mechanics," in J. Butterfield and J. Earman (eds.): Philosophy of Physics,  Elsevier, 2007.
• R. I. G. Hughes: The Structure and Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics, Cambridge: Harward University Press, 1989.
  
• J. M. Jauch: Foundations of Quantum Mechanics, Massachussetts: Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, 1968.
• M. Readhead: Incompleteness, Nonlocality, and Realism, Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1987.
  
• L. Ruetsche: Interpreting Quantum Theories, Oxford: Clarendon Press, 2011.