The Gestalt problem in quantum theory: Generation of molecular shape by the environment

Amann, Anton

doi:10.1007/bf01255834

Cited by 40 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 61 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Subentities do not necessarily exist in a distinct, individual sense. In quantum mechanics and Gestalt perception objects have to be created by elimination of holistic correlations with the 'rest of the world' " [29].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Benveniste’s Experiments Explained by a Non-Conventional Experimenter Effect

Beauvais

2018

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Benveniste’s biology experiments suggested the existence of molecular-like effects without molecules (“memory of water”). In this article, it is proposed that these disputed experiments could have been the consequence of a previously unnoticed and non-conventional experimenter effect. Methods: A probabilistic modelling is built in order to describe an elementary laboratory experiment. A biological system is modelled with two possible states (“resting” and “activated”) and exposed to two experimental conditions labelled “control” and “test”, but both biologically inactive. The modelling takes into account not only the biological system, but also the experimenters. In addition, an outsider standpoint is adopted to describe the experimental situation. Results: A classical approach suggests that, after experiment completion, the “control” and “test” labels of biologically-inactive conditions should be both associated with “resting” state (i.e. no significant relationship between labels and system states). However, if the fluctuations of the biological system are also considered, a quantum-like relationship emerges and connects labels and system states (analogous to a biological “effect” without molecules). Conclusions: No hypotheses about water properties or other exotic explanations are needed to describe Benveniste’s experiments, including their unusual features. This modelling could be extended to other experimental situations in biology, medicine and psychology.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Benveniste’s Experiments Explained by a Non-Conventional Experimenter Effect

Beauvais

2018

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In standard quantum chemical approaches, a molecule is taken to be a set of nuclei and electrons, but in the physicist's description electrons and nuclei are correlated by Einstein‐Podolsky‐Rosen correlations; hence, neither electrons nor nuclei exist as individual objects. A consequence of the holism of quantum mechanics is that an object can only be defined in terms of its relations to its environment 41–45. In quantum theory an atom or molecule in a stationary state has no extension in space or time, so that it makes no sense to talk about the size or shape of an atom or molecule in such a state.…”

Section: How Physicalism Eliminates Itselfmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Ignis Fatuus^a of Reduction and Unification

Brakel

2003

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Given the enormous variety of possible intertheoretical relations, the proliferation of definitions of reduction, supervenience, emergence, unification, and so on, as well as the fact that empirical studies have provided support for almost any metaphysical option or, alternatively, have shown rather conclusively that empirically the case is inconclusive, I suggest a moratorium on the use of words such as "reduction," "supervenience," and "unification" and to go back to the rough ground and give perspicuous renderings of the practice of chemistry. What is needed are very detailed case studies and further discussions about them, instead of bickering about whether chemistry can be reduced to physics, supervenes on it, can be unified with it, and similar "metaphysical" concerns.

show abstract

“…Furthermore, for experimental chemists, the molecule is not an abstract entity. It is a dynamic object which can reveal different properties depending on experimental conditions (compare to Amann, 1993). Although the experimental chemist does not object to the description of the molecule as a set of atoms in a bounded state, characterized by an appropriate potential, he uses a practical definition of the molecule which emphasizes those properties essential for his experimentation.…”

Section: Do Theoretical Entities In Chemistry Really Exist?mentioning

confidence: 99%

The idea of realism in the new experimentalism and the problem of the existence of theoretical entities in chemistry

Zeidler

Sobczyńska

1995

Found Sci

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The paper is focused on some aspects of experimental realism of Ian Hacking, and especially on his "manipulability" criterion of existence. The problem is here related to chemical molecules, the objects of interest in chemical research. The authors consider whether and to what extent this criterion has been applied in experimental practice of chemistry. They argue that "experimentation on" is a fundamental criterion of existence of entities in chemistry rather than "experimentation with". Some examples regarding studies of structures of complex compounds, taken from organic chemistry, are presented to support the authors' considerations. Chemists' laboratory practice depends strongly on the way that representations of entities on (or with) the experiments are used. The authors show that this point has not been given sufficient attention by the new experimentalists.

show abstract

The Gestalt problem in quantum theory: Generation of molecular shape by the environment

Cited by 40 publications

References 61 publications

Benveniste’s Experiments Explained by a Non-Conventional Experimenter Effect

Benveniste’s Experiments Explained by a Non-Conventional Experimenter Effect

The Ignis Fatuus^a of Reduction and Unification

The idea of realism in the new experimentalism and the problem of the existence of theoretical entities in chemistry

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About

The Gestalt problem in quantum theory: Generation of molecular shape by the environment

Cited by 40 publications

References 61 publications

Benveniste&rsquo;s Experiments Explained by a Non-Conventional Experimenter Effect

Benveniste&rsquo;s Experiments Explained by a Non-Conventional Experimenter Effect

The Ignis Fatuusa of Reduction and Unification

The idea of realism in the new experimentalism and the problem of the existence of theoretical entities in chemistry

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About

Benveniste’s Experiments Explained by a Non-Conventional Experimenter Effect

Benveniste’s Experiments Explained by a Non-Conventional Experimenter Effect

The Ignis Fatuus^a of Reduction and Unification