Decoherence, Quantum Theory and their Implications for the Philosophy of Geomorphology
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 8963141 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Stephan Harrison (0000-0003-2820-7313, Coventry University, corresponding author), Philip J Dunham (Coventry University), Philip Dunham |
| Year | 1998 |
| Volume | 23 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Pages | 501-514 |
| Publication date | 1998-12-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0020-2754 • E-ISSN: 1475-5661 |
| Publisher | Wiley (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1111/j.0020-2754.1998.00501.x |
| OpenAlex | W1977861990 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 13 |
| References cited | 28 |
Recent philosophical discussions on the nature of geomorphology ( Bassett 1994 ; Richards 1994 ; Rhoads 1994 ) have concluded that the way forward in geomorphological explanation is through either an empiricist or a realist approach. This paper draws lessons from quantum mechanics and the related concepts of decoherence and entanglement to explore the theoretical limitations of both of these existing approaches to geomorphology. It is suggested that empiricist and realist approaches are misguided in their attempts to view the researcher as being in some way ‘detached’ from the reality of the environmental system under investigation. Instead, this reality is viewed here as being consciousness‐dependent. The paper also challenges the claims to represent ‘truth’, and the deterministic view of causation, which are inherent within empiricist and realist approaches. It concludes by suggesting that an idealist approach to geomorphology – one that recognizes the primacy of consciousness – can better appreciate the unpredictable and probabilistic nature of the world
Causation · Consciousness · Empiricism · Epistemology · Physics · Quantum · Quantum decoherence · Quantum entanglement · Quantum mechanics · Sociology · Geochemistry and Geologic Mapping · Philosophy · Philosophy and History of Science · Science and Climate Studies
Beyond Pragmatism
Dialogue, metaphors of dialogue and understandings of geography
Geography and the present conjuncture
Distant feelings
Taking ‘nonsense’ seriously
Counterurbanisation and rural gentrification
On reductionism and emergence in geomorphology
What ever happened to quantum geography? Toward a new qualified naturalism
Geography and paratactical interdisciplinarity
A Waste of Space? Towards a Critique of the Social Production of Space
Let's get real
Thinking Geographically
Quantitative Geography
Space and Social Theory
"Relative State" Formulation of Quantum Mechanics
Locational analysis in human geography
To Save the Phenomena
Representing and Intervening
Mapping the Subject
The Possibility of Naturalism
An Idealist Alternative in Human Geography
Putting critical realism to work
Critical realism and realist research in human geography
Method in Social Science
A Realist Theory of Science
Property Relations and Landlordism-a Realist Approach
Themes in Geographic Thought
Property relations and landlordism -- a realist approach
| Unique citing works | 13 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0,48 |
| Citation span | 1999 - 2024 (26) |
| Citation velocity | recent |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 11 |