Bohr's complementarity and Kant's epistemology

Michel Bitbol

Stefano Osnaghi

pp. 199-221

in: Olivier Darrigol, Bertrand Duplantier, Vincent Rivasseau, Jean-Michel Raimond (eds), Niels Bohr, 1913-2013, Basel, Birkhäuser, 2016

Abstract

We point out and analyze some striking analogies between Kant's transcendental method in philosophy and Bohr's approach of the fundamental issues raised by quantum mechanics. We argue in particular that some of the most controversial aspects of Bohr's views, as well as the philosophical concerns that led him to endorse such views, can naturally be understood along the lines of Kant's celebrated "Copernican" revolution in epistemology.

Cited authors

Kant Immanuel

Bohr Niels