Dirac’s Book The Principles of Quantum Mechanics as an Alternative Way of Organizing a Theory

• Published in: Foundations of science 2023-06, Vol.28 (2), p.551-574
• Main Author: Drago, Antonino
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Classical mechanics; Education; Einstein, Albert; Mathematical Logic and Foundations; Methodology of the Social Sciences; Philosophy; Philosophy of Science; Quantum mechanics; Quantum physics; Quantum theory
• ISSN: 1233-1821; 1572-8471
• DOI: 10.1007/s10699-022-09835-3

Authoritative appraisals have qualified this book as an “axiomatic” theory. However, given that its essential content is no more than an analogy, its theoretical organization cannot be axiomatic. Indeed, in the first edition Dirac declares that he had avoided an axiomatic presentation. Moreover, I show that the text aims to solve a basic problem (How quantum mechanics is similar to classical mechanics?). A previous paper analyzed all past theories of physics, chemistry and mathematics, presented by the respective authors non-axiomatically. Four characteristic features of a new model of organizing a theory were recognized. A careful examination of Dirac’s text shows that it actually applied this kind of organization of a theory, confirming formally what Kronz and Lupher suggested through intuitive categories (pragmatism and rigour), i.e. Dirac’s formulation of Quantum mechanics represents a distinct theoretical approach from von Neumann’s axiomatic approach. However, since the second edition Dirac has changed his approach: although relying again on analogy, his theory refers to the axiomatic method. Some considerations on the odd paths which led to the present formulation of QM are added. They suggest that a new foundation of this theory needs to be found.