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Causality and Complementarity

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 March 2022

Niels Bohr*
Affiliation:
Copenhagen

Extract

On several occasions I have pointed out that the lesson taught us by recent developments in physics regarding the necessity of a constant extension of the frame of concepts appropriate for the classification of new experiences leads us to a general epistemological attitude which might help us to avoid apparent conceptual difficulties in other fields of science as well. Since, however, the opinion has been expressed from various sides that this attitude would appear to involve a mysticism incompatible with the true spirit of science, I am very glad to use the present opportunity of addressing this assembly of scientists working in quite different fields but united in their striving to find a common ground for our knowledge, to come back to this question, and above all to try to clear up the misunderstandings which have arisen.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Philosophy of Science Association 1937

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Footnotes

1

Address delivered before the Second International Congress for the Unity of Science, Copenhagen, June, 1936.

References

2 “Atomic Theory and Description of Nature”, four essays and an introductory survey; Cambridge, 1934; quoted in the text as AI, AII, AIII, AIV, and AE; further, “Light and Life” Nature 131, 421; 457, 1933; and “Can Quantum Mechanical Description of Physical Reality be Considered Complete?” Physical Review LXVIII, 696, 1935; quoted as B and C respectively.