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arXiv · 2307.05611

Against the "nightmare of a mechanically determined universe": Why Bohm was never a Bohmian

Flavio Del Santo·Gerd Christian Krizek
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Abstract

David Bohm has put forward the first deterministic interpretation of quantum physics, and for this he seems to be regarded as a champion of determinism by physicists (both his contemporaries and the supporters of his interpretation, the so-called "Bohmians") as well as by historians of physics. The standard narrative is that he underwent a "conversion" from being a supporter of Bohr to being a staunch determinist, due to his interaction with Einstein and his commitment to Marxism. Here we show that Bohm actually upheld with continuity throughout his career some philosophical tenets that included a strong rejection of mechanistic determinism. As such, we conclude that Bohm was never a Bohmian and that his philosophical views have been largely misinterpreted.

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Flavio Del Santo, Gerd Christian Krizek. 2023-07-10. Against the "nightmare of a mechanically determined universe": Why Bohm was never a Bohmian. https://doi.org/10.1093/oso%2F9780198901853.003.0007

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