Dr. Louis Vervoort, the philosopher of science and physicist has presented a report "What is Real? Quantum Mechanics at the Interface of Physics and Philosophy" at the scientific seminar of the Сentre

A specialist in the foundations of quantum mechanics, the philosophy of physics, and the philosophy of science, he focused on the properties of quantum systems, such as entanglement, nonlocality, and contextualism, which have both physical and philosophical implications.

This talk explored properties of quantum systems – entanglement, nonlocality, and contextuality – that have both a physical and philosophical component. It started with quantum entanglement, which is sometimes called "the" quintessential quantum feature. First analyzed by Einstein, Podolsky, and Rosen (EPR) in the so-called EPR-paradox, entanglement is considered to have no equivalent in the classical world. Its interpretation (its meaning beyond the formulas) is still hotly debated; at least two schools of thought clash, one inspired by Einstein, the other by Bohr. It appears that the crux of the dispute, namely the premises from which the two schools start, is philosophical, not physical, and turns around the question: when is a physical property ‘real’?

To bring the debate to the empirical level, Bell’s theorem and its interpretations were presented, trying to elucidate the role of quantum nonlocality and contextuality (or holism).  The recent developments and experiments that can advance the debate were also highlighted.


Speaker: Louis Vervoort is a Belgian—born philosopher of science and physicist, an expert in the foundations of quantum mechanics, philosophy of physics, and philosophy of science. He is a Researcher of the MIEM Center for Quantum Metamaterials and a lecturer at the HSE School of Philosophy and Cultural Studies. Previously, he worked at the University of Tyumen, École Normale Supérieure, Paris (France), Université du Québec à Montréal and the University of Montreal (Canada). Louis Vervoort is the author of numerous publications in the journals Foundations of Physics, Synthese, Entropy, Physical Review Fluids, Journal for General Philosophy of Science, and others. His work focuses on both fundamental issues in quantum theory and contemporary problems in AI and scientific reasoning.