Kant, Niels Bohr and Quantum Spontaneity

Abstract

This paper focuses on absolute spontaneity, first postulated by Immanuel Kant. In the early twentieth century spontaneity entered the domain of quantum physics when Niels Bohr included it as part of his quantum postulate. Later on, David Bohm developed the concept of a quantum potential in his description and interpretation of quantum physics, a concept that can also be understood in terms of spontaneity. A discussion of Kant’s influence on the interpretation of quantum physics is followed by a consideration of the inclusion of spontaneity in Niels Bohr’s epistemological approach to quantum mechanics and David Bohm’s quantum potential as part of his ontological approach to quantum physics. Kant’s influence on both Bohr and Bohm is examined as well as the applicability of his critical metaphysics to quantum theory. Critical metaphysics read together with Bohr and Bohm’s interpretations of quantum physics is then utilized to make some proposals with regard to the problems plaguing our best theories of physics.

Keywords

• quantum physics
• spontaneity
• bohr & kant