What does it mean for us?

When learning about the Heisenberg uncertainty principle, it becomes clear that it revolutionizes the way we think of the universe. Our knowledge of universalities is no longer true and must be reexamined. For the majority of people, however, such a realization has little or no impact. Most likely, this is true because the majority of people have no conception of modern science nor do they care to learn of such theories as quantum. In essence, what I argue is that quantum theory can be perceived as having had very little impact on the real world.
Real world measurements and predictions are still conducted in the same way they were before quantum theory was developed. An architect will not use quantum mechanics to design his building; rather, he will continue to use Newtonian physics. Just because quantum theory states that measurements are not completely accurate does not mean that the world has changed the way it views everything. If one knows of Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle, he believes it to only apply to extremely small circumstances. Most scientists, at least in the realm of biology, continue to use reducibility as a basis for research. The biologist is taught to continue to reduce a phenomenon until it can be explained in the simplest way. Every function, occurrence, or construction of biology, it is believed by the vast majority of biologists, can be explained through reducibility. Quantum physics has not significantly changed the way that most biologists examine constructs such as the brain. At this time, Newton can still be used to give the world the answers it needs, so it will continue to be used until it cannot answer every question. A day will probably come when the world recognizes the importance of quantum theory, but at this time, Newtonian physics continues to be used by the general public.
Another important discussion raised by Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle is what makes the measurements uncertain. Are the measured variables uncertain because every time we attempt to measure one the other is changed? Such a belief would essentially nullify the Heisenberg uncertainty principle. If the uncertainty were simply due to the measurement, a time would come when the measurement could be taken accurately without affecting the other variable. Thus, at that time the Heisenberg uncertainty principle would be dead. Despite the lack of cause and effect presented by Heisenberg, to accept this reasoning for uncertainty is to simply reject the entire principle.
Although quantum physics has presented many interesting discussions, Newtonian physics also brought about a debate on another issue, one of determinism. If the universe is ruled by Newton’s laws of motion, then everything can be predicted. If that is true, then it is logical to conclude that human behavior can also be predicted in accordance to the laws of motion. Because everything is predictable and “determined” every person must also be following a pre-determined, and predictable path, if he is to follow the laws of motion as presented by Newton. The idea of free will, however, was still justified according to Newtonian physicists by explaining that the mind occurs internally and was not part of physics. It was detached from the physical world and thus did not follow determinism. Quantum theory, however, believes that there is a connection between the physical world and the mind, and it views this issue in a very different way. The idea of determinism for people, nevertheless, seems rather senseless to me. If all our actions were predetermined, it would not matter whether we knew it or not. For example, I could have been predetermined to write this blog entry, but regardless of what happens, I will always believe that I have done it out of free will. The choices we make and the thoughts we think could all be a part of determinism, but it would never be known. In a sense, everything is destined or determined to happen because it does happen. All choices lead to a consequence regardless of what the choice and consequence are.