A quantum discontinuity: The Schrödinger–Bohr dialogue

Abstract

Parts of Erwin Schrödinger’s career and views of science can be illuminated through his interaction with another pioneer of quantum theory, Niels Bohr. Both physicists endeavoured to understand nature on a basic level, where physics cannot be easily separated from natural philosophy in a broad sense of the term. In spite of having much in common, they fundamentally disagreed about the meaning and aim of quantum mechanics. The essay describes the Schrödinger–Bohr dialogue as it unfolded from their first contact in 1921 to their last exchange of letters in 1952.