Entre a matéria e a forma: o problema da objetividade dos fenômenos quânticos em Werner Heisenberg

Abstract

This research seeks to problematize Werner Karl Heisenberg's (1901-1976) conceptual interpretation around the problem of objectivity of quantum phenomena, that is, around the ancient metaphysical problem, which goes back to Greek philosophy, of investigating the last constituents of nature, the which, in Heisenberg's case, means to inquire into the philosophical-ontological meaning of the twenty-five elementary particles known in his time. Heisenberg defends the idea that elementary particles are ultimately mathematical forms that energy must take in order to become matter, which approximates his interpretation to the way Plato conceived pure or eido forms. Our research seeks to problematize Heisenberg's idealistic interpretation, and to discuss the various facets that are involved and implicated in his idealistic philosophical position. Finally, we defend the idea of the existence of an internal tension between the postures of the philosopher Heisenberg that defends an approximation with Plato's forms, to the problem of the objectivity of quantum phenomena, and the physicist Heisenberg who indirectly accepts a material objective background inherent in the quantum phenomena. We also argue that the strategy to overcome this internal tension between physics and philosophy, or between matter and form, in Heisenberg, constitutes what we call Heisenberg's pragmatic attitude, which consists in, simultaneously, preserving an epistemological-positivist position in the quantum physics, which means staying within the narrow limits of what is possible to know through observation, and an ontologicalmetaphysical position, within philosophy, that is, the position of seeking the ultimate answers in relation to everything that exist.