Quantum Non-Locality and Relativity: Metaphysical Intimations of Modern Physics 3rd Edition

This book is written in a clear style, but reader beware: it is not for those unfamiliar with swimming the deeps. I would say that the proper audience for this book are those who are at least as advanced as grad students in philosophy or mathematics.You might object and say, "Woah! The topic is physics, right?" Right, but physics people like myself are simply not comfortable with "skating about so quickly" with logic the way that Professor Maudlin does, with so much ease.If, like myself, you are a phd in physics, you may find yourself reading and rereading some sections, until at last you say "ahhhhh, so THAT's what he is talking about."If you are not a philosophy or mathematics type - in love with logic - you might do better by starting out with a more physical approach to quantum foundations; one which explains things more in terms of what is going on. I recommend GC Ghirardi's "Sneaking a Look at God's Cards" Especially notable here are discussions of photon polarization experiments and spin measurements. VERY nice job by Ghirardi and the best I've ever seen...David Albert's "Quantum Mechanics and Experience" is also good, but also not as reader-friendly as Ghirardi.Having said that, I am not saying "do not read Maudlin." Once you have read Ghirardi and Albert, then you are better armed and might approach Maudlin with more ease... Even then, just take your time with Maudlin and don't be afraid to reread things if needed...Good luck in your study of this fascinating and important field.

This book is absolutely fascination.Disclaimer - I have a physics background (doctorate), and so have a hard time judging how the math will strike people without much physics experience. However, I'm not primarily a quantum guy, and the book is written so that he introduces the math carefully, and makes a concerted effort not to lose you in the notation ... it's mostly algebra, linear algebra and geometry.If you've had some undergrad physics (some quantum and special relativity), and did well in math class, you should be able to follow along ... it's mostly a philosophy book, with the CONCEPTS playing a much more primary role than the equations, though there is really no way to explain the concepts clearly, without actually discussing the math.So, if you want something that discuses, head-on, the weird world of quantum entanglement, and what it actually mean, I've literally never found a book like this one. From a careful description of the Bell inequalities, to the logical consequences of tachyons, to some of the newer interpretations of Quantum (WELL beyond Copenhagen, that's for sure!), this book is as serious intellectual tour-de-force, that's actually READABLE.

Not a simplistic gee-whiz book like some other recent books on the same topic, such as Musser's "Spooky Action at a Distance". The mathematics is not more difficult than high school geometry and algebra. Maudlin helps the reader comprehend Einstein's relativity theory, and the effects of observations that would appear to violate this theory. These are physical observations (the major example is light polarization of two particles) that are matched between objects at two locations even before a light beam could reach them to make them match. So there is no local force that could make them match, and nonetheless they match.Now, this is not an easy book to read because the physical concepts are against common sense, but it gives the reader a sense of satisfaction to follow Maudlin to a deeper understanding of space and time.

Really great intro to the quantum world. Would recommend if you have a fundamental knowledge of basic calculus and want somewhere to start with learning about quantum phenomena.

Maudlin is excellent.

I have a previous edition of this book that I found very straightforward and understandable after a couple of readings. It was a worthwhile edition to my library and I will assume that this recent edition is no different and perhaps even more worthwhile.I must admit that when many years ago I first came across Bell's theorem and started reading early interpretations of what it might imply, I was conjuring up all sorts of wild ideas just like everyone else. But after many years of study I have come to the epiphany that nonlocality really should be no great shocker because modern mathematics and hard sciences themselves are grounded in nonlocality from the very start.Consider:Axiomatized mathematics holds itself to be a univeral language and mathematical physics is grounded in principles of equivalence that presume the basic laws of physics are the same throughout spacetime. Both are products of a presumption of human faculties able to formulate and take a fully objective stance from the outside looking in no matter where they actually are located..Non-locality in - non-locality out.

As a lay person I have been reading about quantum mechanics, relativity, and cosmology for years. The question of what actually happens when two entangled particles seem to communicate faster than light is one of the most intriguing questions in science. This author does the most robust job I have ever seen of walking through every step of the possibilities of what could be happening and how likely they are the explanation of true reality.There were points in the book that I found highly frustrating and at times I found myself thinking that a chapter of the book only merits 3 stars. But I am glad I pushed through because it came together very nicely all things considered. Weeks after finishing it I find myself looking back and thinking about it more than any other book I've ever read.The author's writing style is also fantastically rigorous and clear and logical, which I loved.

Perhaps goes a little beyond what the average layperson is looking for, but left me confident that I had a solid grasp of the area, with little mathematics required.

Really interesting, well written and comprehensive.

very good book