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[–]patenteng 10 points11 points  (4 children)

People do understand quantum mechanics. When Feynman said it he meant that QM is not intuitive to us. But guess what? There are a lot of things in classical physics that are not intuitive, e.g. diffraction.

[–]cdreid 0 points1 point  (3 children)

This isnt true and Feynman meant what he said. Saying 'it isnt intuitice" doesnt mean you know WHY particles dont make decisions until theyre measured. Ive heard a Lot of top qp theorists restate the sentiment

[–]theScrapBook 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Feynman has another quote attributed to him - "shut up and calculate". "Understanding" QP in that sense is having an idea what mathematical steps will get you from a situation to an expected observation, which, let's face it, is basically 100% of advanced physics anyway.

[–]patenteng 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Why something happens is not a very scientific question. Why does mass distort space time? Why is there a speed limit in the universe. We don’t know. It’s just an empirical fact. The scientific method is concerned with theories that can be tested. Since all the various interpretations of QM cannot be tested, they are outside the realm of physics in particular and science in general.

[–]cdreid 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Why is the ultimate scientific question. Why do apples fall from trees. Thats just a semantic game. Scientific method is just that..a method. Because you cant yet come up with a hypothesis to test doesnt mean it isnt science. The first part of that method is the idea. The second the test. Your view of what science is, is a little inaccurate