Einstein, Physics and Reality

Albert Einstein was one of the principal founders of the quantum and relativity theories. Until 1925, when the BoseOCoEinstein statistics was discovered, he made great contributions to the foundations of quantum theory. However, after the discovery of quantum mechanics by Heisenberg and wave mechanics by SchrAdinger, with the consequent development of the principles of uncertainty and complementarity, it would seem that Einstein''s views completely changed. In his theory of the Brownian motion, Einstein had invoked the theory of probability to establish the reality of atoms and molecules; but, in 1916OCo17, when he wished to predict the exact instant when an atom would radiate OCo and developed his theory of the A and B coefficients OCo he wondered whether the OC quantum absorption and emission of light could ever be understood in the sense of the complete causality requirement, or would a statistical residue remain? I must admit that there I lack the courage of my convictions. But I would be very unhappy to renounce complete causalityOCO, as he wrote to his friend Max Born. However, he wrote later to Born that quantum mechanics OC is certainly imposingOCO, but OC an inner voice tells me that it is not the real thing OC It does not bring us closer to the secret of the OCyOld OneOCO. I, at any rate, am convinced that He is not playing at diceOCO. At the 1927 and 1930 Solvay Conferences on Physics in Brussels, Einstein engaged in profound discussions with Niels Bohr and others about his conviction regarding classical determinism versus the statistical causality of quantum mechanics. To the end of his life he retained his belief in a deterministic philosophy. This highly interesting book explores Einstein''s views on the nature and structure of physics and reality. Contents: The OC Non-Einsteinian Quantum TheoryOCO OC The Crisis in Theoretical PhysicsOCO Letters on Wave Mechanics; Epistemological Discussion with Einstein: Does Quantum Mechanics Describe Reality Correctly?; Is the Quantum-Theoretical Description of Nature Complete?; Does God Play Dice?; Mach Contra Kant: Aspects of the Development of Einstein''s Natural Philosophy. Readership: Scientists and general readers."