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Quantum Mechanics As a Radical Change in Paradigm in the History of Human Thought
We present the current state of quantum mechanics, the prospects for its development, and the
strengthening of its influence on scientific and technological progress. We look at quantum mechanics from
four perspectives. The first perspective astonished physicists already with the advent of quantum mechanics—
it is (1) a new way of looking at the world. Over the course of a hundred years of development, quantum
mechanics has acquired three more perspectives: (2) an independent field of knowledge, (3) a new physical
theory, and (4) a radical change in paradigm in the history of human thought. We have named the new paradigm
“neo-Copenhagen” to emphasize both its development from and its continuity with the Copenhagen
interpretation. We review the problems of quantum mechanics: how experimental research progresses, how
basic concepts develop, how practical applications of paradoxical ideas expand. We indicate ways to solve
three Ginzburg’s “great” problems. We formulate the features of the neo-Copenhagen paradigm that have
already emerged. We present a look at the future of science and technology on the three time scales.