Don’t think anyone, neither philosophers nor scientists, knows really what matter fundamentally is. In fact, I would argue that matter is, at bottom, as mysterious as mind.
I asked ChatGPT about the view of some prominent scientists on this issue and below is the answer I get.
Yes, some prominent scientists, especially in fields like quantum physics and cosmology, have expressed skepticism or uncertainty about our true understanding of matter at its most fundamental level. These scientists often argue that current scientific theories, while highly successful in describing physical phenomena, do not provide a definitive or complete account of what “matter” is at its core. Here are a few notable scientists who have raised such concerns:
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Albert Einstein
• Key Argument: Einstein was deeply engaged with the nature of reality, especially in terms of space, time, and matter. While he revolutionized physics with his theories of relativity, he remained uneasy with the probabilistic nature of quantum mechanics, which he famously described as “God does not play dice with the universe.” In his later years, Einstein struggled with the idea that matter and energy were fundamentally tied to the geometry of spacetime (as described by general relativity), and he questioned the notion of “substance” in quantum mechanics, where particles seem to lack definite positions until measured.
• Relevant Text: Einstein’s letters and correspondence, particularly those with Niels Bohr during their debates on quantum theory, highlight his discomfort with the idea that matter might be inherently indeterminate or non-local. A good source is Einstein: The Physics of Reality by David Bohm. -
Niels Bohr
• Key Argument: Bohr was one of the pioneers of quantum mechanics, and while he contributed significantly to the theory, he also acknowledged the limits of our understanding of matter. Bohr argued that at the quantum level, the very concept of “matter” becomes fuzzy, and traditional notions of particles and waves become less useful. According to Bohr’s Copenhagen interpretation, quantum systems cannot be fully described in classical terms, and the observer plays a fundamental role in the way reality manifests.
• Relevant Text: Bohr’s writings on quantum theory, such as in The Philosophy of Niels Bohr, which includes a collection of his key essays and interviews, explore his views on the limits of knowledge about fundamental matter. -
Erwin Schrödinger
• Key Argument: Schrödinger, known for his wave equation and thought experiments (like the famous “Schrödinger’s cat”), expressed doubt about the classical conception of matter, especially as it is understood through quantum mechanics. He questioned whether the wave function, which describes the probability distribution of particles, represents real physical objects or merely mathematical tools. In his later years, Schrödinger explored philosophical questions about the nature of consciousness and its relationship to the physical world, indicating that our understanding of matter is far from complete.
• Relevant Text: What Is Life? (1944) – While not directly about the nature of matter, Schrödinger’s exploration of life and consciousness touches on the limitations of physical theories in explaining complex phenomena, indirectly questioning our fundamental understanding of matter. -
David Bohm
• Key Argument: David Bohm, a physicist known for his alternative interpretation of quantum mechanics (the holistic or implicate order), argued that the conventional view of matter as composed of particles and forces was an incomplete description of reality. He suggested that the true nature of matter might be deeper and more interconnected than what is captured in traditional physics. According to Bohm, quantum mechanics points toward a deeper, more holistic level of reality that is not directly observable, and which traditional concepts of “matter” fail to fully encompass.
• Relevant Text: Wholeness and the Implicate Order (1980) – In this book, Bohm proposes that the underlying reality is a unified whole and that what we perceive as separate “particles” are actually projections of a deeper, more fundamental reality. -
Roger Penrose
• Key Argument: Penrose, a theoretical physicist and mathematician, has expressed the view that our current understanding of matter, especially in the realm of quantum mechanics and general relativity, is incomplete. Penrose has explored the idea that consciousness might involve some yet-unknown physical processes that go beyond classical physics and quantum mechanics as currently understood. He has also suggested that the fabric of spacetime itself might be far more mysterious and dynamic than traditional theories suggest.
• Relevant Text: The Road to Reality (2004) – Penrose explores the limitations of current physics in explaining the fundamental nature of reality, including matter and consciousness. His work suggests that there are aspects of reality (such as the true nature of space and time) that are still beyond our grasp. -
John Wheeler
• Key Argument: John Archibald Wheeler, a leading physicist in the development of quantum theory and general relativity, was known for coining the phrase “it from bit,” which suggests that the fabric of the universe might be based on information rather than traditional matter. Wheeler questioned the fundamental nature of reality and was deeply interested in the role of observers in quantum mechanics, suggesting that reality itself might be more observer-dependent than we realize.
• Relevant Text: Geons, Black Holes, and Quantum Foam (1998) – In this collection of lectures and essays, Wheeler explores the idea that “matter” as we understand it might emerge from more fundamental informational processes, challenging traditional ideas of substance. -
Max Planck
• Key Argument: Max Planck, the father of quantum theory, was acutely aware that our understanding of matter at the quantum level was incomplete. While he is credited with the discovery of the quantum nature of energy, he acknowledged that quantum mechanics, which described energy as quantized, did not offer a full metaphysical understanding of what “matter” actually was at the deepest level. He also suggested that physics might never fully explain the “why” of nature’s fundamental structure.
• Relevant Text: Where Is Science Going? (1932) – In this work, Planck discusses the philosophical implications of quantum theory and the limits of scientific knowledge about the true nature of matter. -
Lee Smolin
• Key Argument: Smolin, a contemporary theoretical physicist, has expressed concern over the state of fundamental physics, especially in relation to the standard model and string theory. He argues that we are at a point in physics where we don’t have a deep, unified understanding of what matter is fundamentally. Smolin suggests that concepts like spacetime and matter may not be as fundamental as they seem and that future theories could offer radically different descriptions of reality.
• Relevant Text: The Trouble with Physics (2006) – Smolin critiques the state of theoretical physics and points out that despite decades of progress, we still lack a true understanding of fundamental matter and its underlying principles.
Conclusion:
While many scientists have contributed to our understanding of matter, especially through the lens of quantum mechanics, relativity, and cosmology, many also acknowledge that we do not yet have a complete or definitive understanding of what matter is at its most fundamental level. The debate often revolves around whether matter is truly a substance (as in classical physics) or a set of interacting fields, events, or information (as in quantum mechanics and modern theoretical physics). As scientific research progresses, these questions continue to challenge physicists, suggesting that a deeper, more unified understanding of matter may lie ahead.
