The Quantum Thomist

Musings about quantum physics, classical philosophy, and the connection between the two.
More recent articles

On Bell's Theorem

Last modified on Sun May 10 14:34:14 2020


Bell's theorem is one of the most important contributions to the philosophy of quantum physics. In particular, it is claimed that it undermines either realism in physics or the principle of locality. My response to this is that it undermines certain models of realism, but not all. In this post, I explore this in more depth.

A Universe from Nothing? Part 7: Concluding thoughts

Last modified on Tue Apr 7 21:01:33 2020


I offer my concluding thoughts on Lawrance Krauss' work A Universe From Nothing, focussing on his preface and epilogue.

Probability, Fields and Bell's Theorem

Last modified on Sun Mar 22 22:57:34 2020


I reply to certain recent comments on various posts on my blog.

Classical theism podcast.

Last modified on Sat Dec 21 22:25:09 2019


If you haven't yet done so please check out the classical theism podcast.

A Universe from Nothing? Part 6: Where do the laws come from?

Last modified on Wed Dec 11 22:37:17 2019


I review chapter 11 of Krauss' Universe From Nothing. In this chapter, he argues that the laws of physics themselves might spring forth from a combination of the multiverse and randomness. But where do the laws governing the multiverse come from?.

Are left-wing and right-wing politics a false dichotomy?

Last modified on Sun Nov 17 20:33:04 2019


In politics, we are constantly told that there is a left, a right, and a centre. But is that a reasonable metaphor to use? Are the various political positions points along the same line, or do they belong on entirely different lines altogether?

A Universe from Nothing? Part 5: Is Nothing Unstable?

Last modified on Sat Oct 19 19:21:11 2019


In this fifth part of a series discussing Professor Lawrence Krauss' work A Universe From Nothing, I have a look at his tenth chapter, where he attempts to show that nothing is unstable.

A Universe from Nothing? Part 4: Is Nothing Something?

Last modified on Wed Sep 11 16:50:31 2019


In this fourth part of a series discussing Professor Lawrence Krauss' work A Universe From Nothing, I have a look at his ninth chapter, where he begins his philosophical discussion. In particular, he attempts to show how the universe could have started from a small patch of empty space. Along the way, he tries to justify his definition of nothing as empty space.

The A and B Theories of Time

Last modified on Sun Jul 21 16:56:30 2019


One big debate among philosophers is on the nature of time. The A theory of time states that the division between past, present and future is an objective feature of the universe. The B theory of time views space time as a four dimensional block, and denies that there is a time that we can objectively point to as the present; rather all notions of the present time are either an illusion or merely subjective.

The A theory is the older approach, and was adopted by most people before the twentieth century. It is argued that it is supported by our common experience. The B theory approach found favour after the theory of relativity was introduced, with its support for the four dimensional universe.

In this post I firstly give my own thoughts on the topic, and secondly review the discussion by Edward Feser in his book Aristotle's revenge.

A Universe from Nothing? Part 3: Fine Tuning

Last modified on Sun Jun 16 00:23:25 2019


In this third part of a series discussing Professor Lawrence Krauss' work A Universe From Nothing, I have a look at his eigth chapter, where he discusses the small value of the cosmological constant, fine tuning, and the multiverse.

Earlier articles