Interpréter une théorie physique

Abstract

Physical theories are nowadays very mathematized, and what scientists manipulate so as to describe, predict and control the phenomena, are (in part) equations, which consist in many mathematical symbols. These mathematical objects don't have any physical signification by themselves: they don't “speak” about the phenomena. An interpretation is required. In this article, we are interested in the interpretation which a physical theory needs so as to fulfill its role. We start by making explicit a traditional distinction: the “lean” interpretation (a simple instrument which allows the symbols of the theory to receive a physical meaning, strictly limited to the experimental results) differs from the “rich” interpretation (which makes up an image of the world compatible with the way the theory mathematically describes the experimental results). Our aim in this article is to show that this distinction should be amended. We rely on the example of Quantum Mechanics, but the distinction intends to be general, for any physical theory.

Keywords

• interpretation
• meaning
• physical theory
• quantum mechanics
• symbols
• context