ABSTRACT

Quantum physicists often say that what they call 'classical physics' (this comprises Newton's, Maxwell's and even Einstein's theories) implies determinism, while quantum physics implies indeterminism. Without admitting the truth of this remark, I am willing, of course, to admit that there is a difference between classical and quantum physics. Quantum theory is a probability theory, while classical physics has a different character. 1 I propose to describe classical physics as 'prima facie deterministic', indicating by this name that I do not wish to prejudice the issue whether or not it entails some kind of determinism.