Can Quantum Physics Explain Reality? Understand the Limits of Science

Can Quantum Physics Explain Reality? Understand the Limits of Science

Quantum physics, since its inception, has challenged the way we understand the universe and the very foundations of reality. By revealing a subatomic world where particles can be in multiple places at once, where causality seems to be undone, and where the act of observing affects the observed, quantum physics has often been used to question: what, in fact, is reality?

But to what extent does it really answer this question? What are the limits of science in this context? This is what we will explore in this article.

What does quantum physics say about the real world?

Quantum physics describes nature at the most fundamental level known: that of subatomic particles. Its models and mathematical equations are capable of predicting with incredible accuracy the behavior of electrons, photons and other fundamental elements of matter.

However, what it does not do directly is describe reality as we perceive it — that is, in terms of colors, sounds, shapes, thoughts or feelings. Subjective and conscious reality is much more complex and cannot be reduced to mathematical models.

In other words: quantum physics describes the behavior of matter and energy on a small scale , but it does not, by itself, define what is "real".

The collapse of the wave function: does reality need an observer?

One of the most intriguing concepts in quantum physics is the wave function , which represents all the possible states of a particle. When you measure a particle, the wave function "collapses" — that is, it stops being in several states simultaneously and starts to have a defined position or velocity.

The question is: what causes this collapse?

• Is it the act of measuring with physical equipment?

• Is it the presence of a conscious observer?

• Is it a consequence of interaction with the environment?

  
  

Most scientists accept that measurement is a physical, not a mental, process . But the very fact that measurement changes the system raises profound philosophical questions about the existence of an objective, independent reality.

What is "real"? Several possible interpretations

There are several interpretations of quantum physics, and each one presents a different view of reality. Here are some of the best-known:

1. Copenhagen Interpretation

It proposes that reality is defined at the moment of observation. Before that, the particle has no defined properties. This is the most classical interpretation, defended by Niels Bohr.

2. Interpretation of the Many Worlds

According to this idea, proposed by Hugh Everett, all possibilities occur —each time a decision or measurement is made, the universe "splits" into parallel realities where each outcome occurs. This eliminates wave function collapse, but requires the existence of multiple universes.

3. Decoherence Theory

This theory proposes that the superposition of states breaks down when the particle interacts with the environment, without the need for a conscious observer. Thus, reality arises from the interaction between systems, and not from an "act of looking".

4. Bohmian Interpretation

David Bohm proposed that there is a "pilot wave" that guides particles, maintaining a hidden determinism. In this view, reality is objective and exists independently of observation — but it is guided by laws that we do not yet fully understand.

Quantum Physics and Spirituality: What is Science and What is Not?

In many popular circles, quantum physics is used as justification for ideas such as:

• Thought creates reality

• Mental energy shapes the universe

• Quantum Healing and Matter-Altering Meditation

  
  

These ideas are not supported by science . Quantum physics deals with subatomic particles in controlled laboratory conditions, and extrapolating its principles to the subjective world without rigorous proof is considered pseudoscience.

Although these topics may seem attractive and inspiring, it is essential that any proposal in this area respects the limits of science and experimental evidence .

Is reality objective or subjective?

This is an old debate. Classical physics saw the universe as a large predictable machine. Quantum physics, on the other hand, presents us with a universe of probabilities, where the results depend on the context and the interaction with the system.

Some philosophers argue that reality is constructed in part by the human mind , as we perceive and organize the world according to our cognition. Others argue that reality is completely objective, and that our limitations only distort its understanding.

Quantum physics does not resolve this issue, but it contributes to it by showing that the very idea of "objective reality" needs to be revised when it comes to very small scales.

Does reality depend on scale?

Yes. On human scales—like that of a car, a tree, or a city—the world behaves predictably, obeying the laws of classical physics. On very small scales, however, phenomena arise that escape this logic and require quantum laws.

This mismatch between the micro and the macro is one of the great current challenges in physics: how to unify quantum mechanics with general relativity , which governs massive bodies and the universe on a large scale.

What can (and cannot) science explain?

Science is a powerful tool for describing and predicting phenomena. But it does not answer all existential questions . Questions such as:

• What is consciousness?

• Why does the universe exist?

• What is time?

• Is there purpose in nature?

...still escape current scientific methodology. Quantum physics does not resolve these dilemmas, although it offers new ways of thinking about them.

Is the universe stranger than we can imagine?

Physicist Richard Feynman's famous quote sums it up well: "Nobody really understands quantum mechanics."

This doesn’t mean it doesn’t work—on the contrary, its predictions are extremely accurate. But it does mean that nature is perhaps more mysterious than we can conceive with our human minds.

Quantum physics does not offer a "definitive answer" about what is real. Instead, it shows us that the universe is made of possibilities, interactions, and that our understanding of it is constantly evolving.