Causalidade e teoria quântica

Abstract

The development of quantum theory in the first half of the twentieth century sparked a heated debate among philosophers and physicists about the nature of physical laws, and in particular about the validity of the principle of causality. In view of Planck's theory of radiation, Max Born's probabilistic interpretation, Heisenberg's uncertainty relations and Bohr's complementarity principle, many physicists cast doubt on classical causality, whose legitimacy seemed initially to be no longer guaranteed in the quantum domain. The aim of this paper is to present and discuss the different positions in this debate. In addition to the arguments raised by the Copenhagen interpreters, we will analyze those supported by neo-Kantians and neo-positivists. In conclusion, we will show that despite their philosophical antagonisms, Schlick's position in this debate seems to be closer to his opponent Cassirer than to his collaborator Reichenbach.