The Wave Function

"This is an uncommonly good collection of essays on the metaphysical foundations of quantum mechanics. It contains work on a compelling subject from a number of the most engaging philosophers of physics, and the overall standard of clarity is exceptional."--Jeffrey A. Barrett, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews "The wave function is perhaps the central representational tool that quantum physics uses to describe the world. But just what sort of physical reality does it represent? For too long, a physics too infected by instrumentalist tendencies ignored this question; but in recent decades, it has, happily, come to be viewed as absolutely central to a proper understanding of quantum physics. The Wave Function features ten commissioned essays by some of the sharpest physicists and philosophers working on this topic, framed by a masterful and comprehensive introductory essay that will make this volume readily accessible, even to the non-specialist. Wondering how to make sense of what quantum physics says about the world? Curious about the multifarious metaphysical and epistemological implications of what it says? Then this volume is for you."--Ned Hall, Department of Philosophy, Harvard University "...the book is an excellent and enjoyable piece of philosophy, as one gets to see a single problem attacked from many distinct and compelling perspectives. If interested in the metaphysics of the quantum wavefunction, then this collection is a great choice." -- The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science