The
originating ideas behind modern day quantum mechanics arose in 1900 when Max
Planck published a paper hypothesizing that the total energy of a vibrating
system was quantized and not continues. This scientific deduction was very much
the result of Bacon’s proposed method of induction where physicists collected
large amounts of data from which they were able to begin piecing together an
apparent truth. From 1890 to 1900, physics journals were filled with empirical
measurements of properties such as the atomic spectra and coefficients of
expansion. Thousands of pages of empirical data on atomic spectra lead to the
observation of spectral lines thus to the creation of theories to explain their
discretization. While these theories might not have been the complete truths
that Bacon might have envisioned they certainly provided an initial clue in a
roadmap that was followed to a more globally applicable truth.
Along the physicists
community’s path of developing the theory quantum mechanics Albert Einstein
became of victim to an idol of the cave. While Einstein was part of the initial
formation of quantum physics with his formation that the electromagnetic field
was quantized, he later began to reject the idea because of its radical implications.
During his previous work, everything was
deterministic and given a certain input to a system the response could be
calculated precisely. This philosophy became his cave. However, quantum theory suggested
only probabilistic responses. To this concept he responded:
“God doesn't play dice with the world."”
Because of this predisposition
created by the idol of the cave he spent from the emergence of quantum theory
in 1927 to the end of his life in 1955 trying to show that quantum theory was
not complete description of the physical universe.
Bacon
warns about the potential negative influence of his idols on a personal level.
However, on a societal level are these idols as applied to a single individual necessarily
a detriment? In science, a mindset that bacon coined as idols of the cave
result when a dramatic shift in theory occurs in the field such as what
happened when quantum mechanics. Looking
back we know that Quantum Theory would be (and still is) a prominent theory for
at least the next 85 years. Had its foundation been incorrect, the resulting
situation could be an Idol of the theater that would encompass all of society. Consequently, looking back, it was probably a
good thing that at least some brilliant scientists were dedicated to finding
holes in the theory before it came widely accepted.
Lastly: Because this is a philosophy
through film class here is a movie clip from star wars. The officer who is
completely convinced of the power of the death star is suffering from the idol
of the cave because he has been devoted to the creation of the death star and believes
it is indestructible. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uogWwpHjvqU
Sources:
Nice connection to Bacon and the process of scientific discovery, the burden of proof, and the difficulties of divergent thinking in science. Plus, there is never enough Star Trek on a Tech blog :)
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