PREFACE

There are many mysteries in contemporary physics, and some of them have been around for almost a century: What does quantum mechanics mean? What does it say about the world and about our place in it? Those mysteries have been used to justify a great deal of mysticism and have been associated with all kinds of religious, pseudo-scientific, philosophical, social, or even political doctrines. The goal of this book is to explain, in the least technical language possible, the reasons for these mysteries and a possible solution to them, as well as to dispel the mysticism that has surrounded quantum mechanics. In order to achieve those goals, we will have also to delve into the history and philosophy of science. Throughout the years, I have benefited from such a large number of discussions, seminars, and exchanges with so many people that thanking them all by name would scarcely be possible. However, I must stress that I learned most of what I know about the subject through discussions with Detlev Dürr, Tim Maudlin, Nino Zanghì, and especially with Sheldon Goldstein. Several readers of parts of this book have made useful comments and corrections, and I wish to thank them: Olivier Cailloux, Laurent Dauré, Serge Dendas, Michel Hellas, Alexis Merlaud, Richard Monvoisin, and Richard Wanliss-Orlebar. For the pictures in this book, I thank Antoine Bricmont, Travis Norsen, and specially Alexandre Gondran for their help.