What is Reality?

This past week was definitely one of the most enlightening weeks I’ve ever had with regards to quantum physics. For the first time, I feel that I actually understand what quantum physics is truly all about. I now know what it is that is meant by quantum theory and what it truly does imply. Previously I had been told that quantum theory means different things, and most of what I had been told does relate to the theory itself, but I had never been actually told what the theory really was or what it actually does mean. After knowing quantum theory, I can say that it is truly an amazing way to look at nature. It changes the way we look at everything. We must reevaluate our beliefs and views of the world. We cannot accept a view of the world that was previously presented to us. Rather, we must continue to question reality and apply quantum theory to everything. After the application of quantum theory, everything is different. Occurrences that were thought to be explained by Newtonian physics can no longer simply be accepted as such; we must look further.
One part of quantum theory that I cannot help to think about is can we use it to innovate the world around us. In the experiment described in class, it seems as though scientists are able to control the nature of reality. Despite this amazing fact, it can currently be applied only to the very small parts of nature dealing with particles of matter such as photons. We are not yet able to see quantum’s applications to larger objects. This begs the question of whether or not quantum theory can be applied to larger parts of the universe. For example, could we ever see something happen in reality as happens in the book Quantum Enigma when the scientist goes to the imaginary town and is able to witness quantum physics as applied to a man and woman in a hut. Can something like that actually happen in reality? What would be the equivalent to the applications of quantum physics as applied to photons? If the equivalent really is being able to determine something such as people appearing either together or separately in a hut, as shown in the book, why can’t we witness a similar event in reality today? Is there some way to see quantum physics that we are simply missing?
Supposing that quantum physics could be applied to larger objects as discussed in the paragraph above, civilization would completely change. Everything would have to be restructured. Of course, this brings about the question of how do I know true reality? I do not know whether anything is actually real or if it is simply a construct of my mind. If I am able to determine where people are positioned, I don’t know if those people actually exist or if they are simply imagined in my mind.
It is at this point in the discussion that I make many connections to a different class I am currently taking, the Philosophy of Science. We began the class by learning about early Greek science. There were several natural philosophers who questioned the nature of reality. Some, such as Parmenides, believed that change did not occur and that the world is one of illusion. There was an argument that persisted for a long time, and still persists today, of rationality versus empiricism. Can empiricism actually be trusted? According to many philosophers, it cannot. When a natural event is recorded and measured, it is only recorded and measured for that one event. When we apply those certain measurements to other events of the same kind, we are supposing that the same results will occur. We cannot actually know whether the same results will actually occur. Therefore, many philosophers believe that the only thing that can actually be trusted is rationalism. Despite this, in order to gain new knowledge, empiricism is necessary. Some philosophers have stated that the conclusion is already found in the premises, thus requiring faith in empiricism in order to create new knowledge.
Quantum theory really does bring out Descartes’ cogito belief. The only thing that I truly can know exists is the self. The form of the self can be debated; however, if I can recognize that I exist, then I must exist in some form. If I could determine the nature of reality, then I am unable to put all my faith behind the fact that the rest of the universe actually exists. The only fact I can know for certain is that I exist.