Quantum mechanics, despite challenging some classical intuitions and philosophical assumptions, is indeed considered a scientific theory and a foundational pillar of modern physics. While it introduces probabilistic behavior and non-local correlations, it has been extensively tested and confirmed by numerous experiments, providing accurate predictions and practical applications. Here are a few key points to consider:
Predictive power: Quantum mechanics has been extraordinarily successful in predicting and explaining the behavior of particles and systems at the microscopic level. Its mathematical framework has consistently matched experimental results and has been used to develop technologies such as transistors, lasers, and superconductors.
Experimental verification: Quantum mechanics has undergone rigorous experimental testing over many decades. Countless experiments have confirmed its predictions, including the famous double-slit experiment, Bell's inequality tests, and the violation of Leggett inequalities, demonstrating the non-classical nature of quantum systems.
Quantum technologies: The development of quantum technologies, such as quantum computers, quantum cryptography, and quantum communication, further demonstrates the practical relevance and validity of quantum mechanics. These technologies rely on the fundamental principles of quantum mechanics to achieve computational speedups and secure communication.
Mathematical consistency: Quantum mechanics is a mathematically rigorous theory that provides a coherent and internally consistent framework for describing physical phenomena. Its mathematical formalism, including wave functions, operators, and state vectors, allows for precise calculations and predictions of quantum systems.
Application in other fields: Quantum mechanics is not limited to physics but also finds applications in chemistry, materials science, biology (e.g., quantum biology), and even cosmology. It provides valuable insights into the behavior of complex systems, molecular interactions, and the early universe.
While quantum mechanics presents conceptual challenges, such as the measurement problem or debates around interpretation, these issues are subjects of ongoing scientific investigation and philosophical discussion. They do not invalidate the scientific nature of quantum mechanics itself. Science evolves by confronting new discoveries and refining our understanding of the physical world. Quantum mechanics remains a well-established and highly successful scientific theory, despite its departure from classical intuitions and assumptions about causality, locality, reductionism, and objective reality.