The Uncertainty Principle, Determinism, and Marxism

[Ilyich]

Hello, I have another question. I read somewhere that Marxism holds that the universe is deterministic, that those Marxists who have invested themselves deeply in the study of physics believe strongly that there are certain laws which govern the universe and that, after some initial action, everything that has happened, is happening, and will happen is determined by these laws and perhaps by this initial action.

I've read somewhere that Werner Heisenberg's 1927 uncertainty principle disproved determinism. If that is true and if Marxist is, in fact, determinist, Heisenberg would certainly be damaging to Marxism. I know that the uncertainty principle has something to do with being unable to know the position and momentum of a thing at once though I have a feeling that this is an extremely simplified explanation.

My three questions: What is the uncertainty principle, how does it affect determinism, and how does that affect Marxism? If the answers to these questions can be explained in layman's terms and you can do so, it would be appreciated. If they cannot, then I'll start with Wikipedia and branch out from there.

[Камо́ Зэд]

The uncertainty principle refers to a concept in quantum mechanics that asserts a fundamental limit to the precision with which certain pairs of physical properties of a particle can be known. For example, the more precisely one knows the position of a particle, the less precisely its momentum can be known at the same time. According to the Copenhagen interpretation of the uncertainty principle, the quantum state (a series of mathematical variables that describes a quantum system) merely prescribes the way in which an experimental result is calculated. It calculates what the results of observation of a system may be, but it cannot absolutely describe what the system is at a fundamental level. Albert Einstein would assert that any and all perceived randomness in this regard is due to humanity's limited comprehension of reality. While he believed that human beings could never fully attain this comprehension, he believed a model of quantum mechanics could be developed that explained seemingly random, non-deterministic observations of physics.

In any case, I don't know that I'd call Marxism deterministic, necessarily, but that things should operate by observable laws is accepted by the sciences. While it is true that "laws" are really theoretical constructs on our part and so don't exist in some metaphysical book or register that keeps the universe operating in a certain way, the universe is fundamentally knowable and it appears to operate according to certain patterns. That the human mind and human society should also operate according to certain patterns that are observable, rather than according to the arbitrary whims of individuals, stands to reason.

[ComingUpForAir]

Look up Sam Harris' lecture on Free Will -- it's simply MUST SEE, and I believe it proves Philosophical Determinism.