Abstract

The interpretation of quantum mechanics gives the theory its physical content , and the interpretation of quantum mechanics which is accepted by the contemporary, mainstream physics community is the Copenhagen interpretation. ;It is quite extraordinary, philosophically speaking, that according to the orthodox interpretation: quantum mechanics is a complete and comprehensive theory of microphysics, and yet the role of measurement, in quantum mechanics, cannot be analyzed in terms of the concerted effect of the microphysical particles making up the apparatus. It follows that, if the orthodox interpretation is correct, the measurement apparatus and its quantum physical effects cannot be accounted for microreductively. This is significant because it is widely believed, by contemporary philosophers, that the relation between wholes and parts is microreductive. Indeed, many philosophers are persuaded of the inevitability of universal micro-reduction to the basic elements of microphysics. This is the viewpoint embodied in the program for the unity of science, espoused in recent years most notably by Robert Causey. ;Microreduction requires that compound elements , and their properties, be explainable in terms of the parts and their interrelations. The emergence of quantum measurement phenomena is represented by the fact that the projection postulate, which describes quantum measurement, cannot be derived from law-sentences exclusively about basic elements; the projection postulate is a fundamental law-sentence in quantum theory. Furthermore, it is necessary for microreduction that the descriptive vocabulary referring to compound elements and their properties be definable in terms referring to the parts. But a measurement apparatus, together with the physical effects associated with quantum measurement, is in principle unanalyzable in terms of the elementary particles of which it is composed. Accordingly, measurement is a primitive notion for quantum theory, not definable in terms referring to elementary particles. Hence, quantum theory, under the accepted interpretation, is incompatible with the program for the unity of science