I started reading a book on quantum mechanics. It is a heavy slog. I have a pretty good math aptitude but not a lot of formal training. At one point they state that if you are not comfortable with calculus then you will never understand the math involved in quantum mechanics. I accept that about the same way that I accept the claim of a Muslim that I cannot understand Islam unless I read the Quran in Arabic. Neither one is going to happen. Both have to be taken on faith. Faith is a choice.
A layman’s summary of some of the concepts of quantum mechanics involves statements that most of us are familiar with. They claim that when you get down to the quantum level, you can know where a particle is, or you can know how fast is moving. You cannot know both. If you observe its location, that changes its speed. If you measure speed, it changes its location. They claim that just the process of observing something changes that something. Then they will say that you can never know when or where this particle will emerge. Or is the particle a wave?
In a sense we are down to the level, where nothing makes sense. We are beyond the ability of our finite human minds to understand what’s going on. It must be measured in mathematics, which are largely full of meaningless symbols and involve formulas where you can stick in whatever value you want. It’s like having a five year old be able to make up the rules for dinner. You never know what it’s going to be but you know it’s going to be interesting.
I’m quite comfortable conceding that I don’t understand. There are many things I don’t understand, but I have a level of feeling for. When I think of what I can understand about quantum theory, I come up with paradoxes that are serious. If we can’t know what is going to happen at the quantum level in the next moment then how can we know the laws of physics are reliable? How can we know our math works? The rules may change in the next moment.
One of my propositions against evolution by random selection is that if evolution is simply a matter of chance, then it would seem that the laws of physics are also a matter of chance. That would seem to say that if I believe in evolution coming up with a new species then I also should be able to believe the physics will come up with a replacement for gravity. I could write you a math formula to prove it as long as I used symbols you had never seen before, gave them fancy names, and allocated values that fit my mood. How are you going to prove me wrong?
In spite of this, I’m not saying there’s nothing to the ideas of quantum theory. It may very well be totally valid. What they’re missing is that there will come a point where you can no longer simply say, “We can’t know where this particle will emerge.” You either have to say there’s another level we go to to find the principles to control this, or there is a controller out there determining when things will pop out so that the universe doesn’t go splat. What a horrible dilemma for a materialist.
Is all this nonsense? Most likely. Prove it.
homo unius libri
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Welcome to Varied Expressions of Worship
Welcome to Varied Expressions of Worship
This blog will be written from an orthodox Christian point of view. There may be some topic that is out of bounds, but at present I don't know what it will be. Politics is a part of life. Theology and philosophy are disciplines that we all participate in even if we don't think so. The Bible has a lot to say about economics. How about self defense? Is war ethical? Think of all the things that someone tells you we should not touch and let's give it a try. Everything that is a part of life should be an expression of worship.
Keep it courteous and be kind to those less blessed than you, but by all means don't worry about agreeing. We learn more when we get backed into a corner.
This blog will be written from an orthodox Christian point of view. There may be some topic that is out of bounds, but at present I don't know what it will be. Politics is a part of life. Theology and philosophy are disciplines that we all participate in even if we don't think so. The Bible has a lot to say about economics. How about self defense? Is war ethical? Think of all the things that someone tells you we should not touch and let's give it a try. Everything that is a part of life should be an expression of worship.
Keep it courteous and be kind to those less blessed than you, but by all means don't worry about agreeing. We learn more when we get backed into a corner.
Monday, June 23, 2025
Opus 2025-310: Is Quantum the God Level?
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Science
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Comments are welcome. Feel free to agree or disagree but keep it clean, courteous and short. I heard some shorthand on a podcast: TLDR, Too long, didn't read.