Why We Need a Coherent Quantum Philosophy

Author: Susan M Kovalinsky

In the past few decades, with the advance of quantum theory and the popularization of quantum physics as New Age ideology, philosophy has suffered somewhat of an epistemic exile within popular culture. Something should be done, but what?

Omnes and Sangalli in their text, Quantum Philosophy (Princeton University Press, 1999) speak about "the fracture" which occurred within the realms of philosophy, logic and science, forever designating Aristotlean thinking as "classical" while quantum philosophy is termed as "formal". Their fine text engages in a comprehensive study, the details of which go beyond the scope of this article. But I open with a quote from another work by Roland Omnes: ". . . the deepest forms of questiong arise. . . from quantum physics". As Omnes rightly assets, the line between quantum sicence and philosophy is a blurred one. When I speak of the need for a cohesive theory, I am speaking of one that will appeal to the general, intelligent public, and not specialized academic theories, which nonetheless are the origins of popular ones.

My interest is in applied philosophy: that which it has to offer the culture, in ethics, counseling, and popular theoretical discourse. A robust theory which could speak to general interests in an elegantly simple way would be the best beginning. Much of current "New Age" theory is so sloppy, soft, sentimental, and plain silly so that the rift between science and philosophy in academia, and popular culture would seem to be widening irrevocably. When I first read Anthony Peake in 2007, it was an accidental encounter. A random search on the internet showed his essay, Cheating the Ferryman: A New Pardigm of Existence? Leaving aside personal bereavement issues and a background in Nietzsche studies which made Peake extremely appealing to me , I was taken by his ability to fuse quantum physics with one of the central doctrines of Nietzsche: the eternal return of the same.

About the Author:

SM Kovalinsky is a blogger, writer, reporter, and publicist from Morris County, NJ, with a strong emphasis on philosophical analysis of American culture and politics. She is blog master of "Musing in Obama's America".

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Read the previous op-ed, "Anthony Peake Speaks"