Uncertainties

Sci Eng Ethics. 2010 Sep;16(3):479-87. doi: 10.1007/s11948-009-9180-z.

Abstract

In contemporary science uncertainty is often represented as an intrinsic feature of natural and of human phenomena. As an example we need only think of two important conceptual revolutions that occurred in physics and logic during the first half of the twentieth century: (1) the discovery of Heisenberg's uncertainty principle in quantum mechanics; (2) the emergence of many-valued logical reasoning, which gave rise to so-called 'fuzzy thinking'. I discuss the possibility of applying the notions of uncertainty, developed in the framework of quantum mechanics, quantum information and fuzzy logics, to some problems of political and social sciences.

Publication types

  • Historical Article

MeSH terms

  • Fuzzy Logic*
  • History, 20th Century
  • Humans
  • Quantum Theory* / history
  • Social Sciences
  • Thinking*
  • Uncertainty*