The History of Literature
547 Borges, Heisenberg, Kant, and the Ultimate Nature of Reality (with William Egginton)
Sep 11, 2023
Author William Egginton discusses his book Borges, Heisenberg, Kant, and the Ultimate Nature of Reality. The podcast explores the differences between reality and our experience of it, touching on Emily Dickinson's poetry and the struggles of silent sufferers. They also delve into the behavior of particles in classical and quantum physics, the limitations of language and numbers, and the use of parables and literature to expand understanding.
01:00:50
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Quick takeaways
- The uncertainty principle challenges traditional notions of cause and effect, highlighting the inherent uncertainty at the heart of the quantum world.
- Borges' story 'Funes the Memorious' emphasizes the limitations of human perception and the dangers of assuming a rigid understanding of the world.
Deep dives
The Limits of Observation
Heisenberg's uncertainty principle challenges the notion that particles follow definite paths and highlights the limitations of observation in quantum mechanics. This principle demonstrates that the act of measurement influences the behavior of subatomic particles, making it impossible to measure both their position and momentum with absolute precision. Heisenberg and other physicists, such as Einstein, grappled with the counterintuitive nature of quantum mechanics, where particles exist in a state of superposition and can be entangled across vast distances. This challenges traditional notions of cause and effect and highlights the inherent uncertainty and indeterminacy at the heart of the quantum world.
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