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Indeterminism

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The Demons of Science
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Abstract

Indeterminism is usually associated with quantum mechanics—the physics of the atom. In the simplest case, for instance, a beam of electrons, sent through the inhomogeneous magnet of a Stern-Gerlach apparatus, will split into two beams, which leaves each electron with a 0.5 probability of either being deflected upward or downward (Fig. 17.1).

We become developed into advocates of necessity or of free-will.

Maxwell, ‘Essay on Free Will’ (1873: 434)

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Throughout his career Freud claimed the psycho-analysis was a science, comparable to physics, but worries of its falsifiability and the competition of alternative explanations cast a permanent shadow of doubt over Freud’s confident claims (see Weinert 2009: Part III.3).

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Correspondence to Friedel Weinert .

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Weinert, F. (2016). Indeterminism. In: The Demons of Science. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-31708-3_17

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