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Cassirer and Bohr on Intuitive and Symbolic Knowledge in Quantum Physics

Pringe, Hernán (2014) Cassirer and Bohr on Intuitive and Symbolic Knowledge in Quantum Physics. THEORIA. An International Journal for Theory, History and Foundations of Science, 29 (3). pp. 417-429. ISSN 2171-679X

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Abstract

This paper compares Cassirer’s and Bohr’s views on symbolic knowledge in quantum physics. Although both of them consider quantum physics as symbolic knowledge, for Cassirer this amounts to a complete renunciation to intuition in quantum physics, while according to Bohr only spatio-temporal images may provide the mathematical formalism of the theory with physical reference. We show the Kantian roots of Bohr’s position and we claim that his Kantian concept of symbol enables Bohr to account for the sensible content of quantum theory as well as for its systematic relation to classical physics.


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Item Type: Published Article or Volume
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Pringe, Hernánhpringe@gmail.com
Additional Information: ISSN: 0495-4548 (print)
Keywords: Cassirer; Bohr; symbol; intuition; quantum physics
Subjects: General Issues > History of Philosophy of Science
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Depositing User: Unnamed user with email theoria@ehu.es
Date Deposited: 13 Feb 2015 03:46
Last Modified: 13 Feb 2015 03:46
Item ID: 11291
Journal or Publication Title: THEORIA. An International Journal for Theory, History and Foundations of Science
Publisher: Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea / Universidad del País Vasco
Official URL: http://www.ehu.eus/ojs/index.php/THEORIA/article/v...
DOI or Unique Handle: 10.1387/theoria.10513
Subjects: General Issues > History of Philosophy of Science
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Date: September 2014
Page Range: pp. 417-429
Volume: 29
Number: 3
ISSN: 2171-679X
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/11291

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