Einstein and Tagore, Newton and Blake, Everett and Bohr: the dual nature of reality

Abstract

There are two broad opposing classes of attitudes to reality (realist vs idealist, material vs mental) with corresponding attitudes to knowledge (objective vs subjective, scientific vs romantic). I argue that these attitudes can be compatible, and that quantum theory requires us to adopt both of them.

arXiv comment21 pages, 2 figures. Contribution to seminar "The Nature of Reality: The Perennial Debate", Indian Institute for Advanced Study, Shimla, March 2012