Quantum Mechanics and Political Philosophy

Quantum mechanics has been utterly successful as a physical description of the sub-astronomic. It has led to unprecedented technological accomplishments, such as microprocessors, modern pharmaceuticals, and advanced materials. It has revealed compelling theoretical insights into nature, such as the reality of the atom and the understanding of its properties both isolated and as a part of compounds. It has introduced new concepts, which any educated person has at least a passing knowledge: the wavefunction, the uncertainty principle, and many-worlds to name a few. All countries, whatever their regime, respect quantum mechanics and all religions feel the need to demonstrate the consistency of their tenets with quantum mechanics. It has captured the hearts of the brightest of youths and continues to captivate the greatest of researchers as they mature. As such, it is more widespread than Christianity in its heyday. Despite these successes, the connection between quantum mechanics and political philosophy is far from obvious. This paper elucidates some of these connections and argues that it should be taken seriously by those interested in political philosophy.