Quantum mechanics 2025 at the crossroads of science and humanities: Towards the epiphany of a new cultural world a century later

Marco Alessandro Luigi Giliberti; Enrico Giannetto; Katarzyna Wyborska; Kamil Fedus; Grzegorz Karwasz; Luisa Lovisetti

doi:10.29333/ejmste/18984

Full Text (PDF)

Marco Alessandro Luigi Giliberti ¹ ² , Enrico Giannetto ³ , Katarzyna Wyborska ⁴ , Kamil Fedus ⁴ , Grzegorz Karwasz ⁴ , Luisa Lovisetti ¹ ² ^*

More Detail

¹ Department of Physics “Aldo Pontremoli”, University of Milan, Milan, ITALY² INFN, Milan Section, Milan, ITALY³ Department of Literature, Philosophy, and Communication, University of Bergamo, Bergamo, ITALY⁴ Institute of Physics, Faculty of Physics, Astronomy and Informatics, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Toruń, POLAND^* Corresponding Author

Abstract

A century after its formulation, we discuss the multifaceted implications for education of the vast cultural connections that quantum mechanics (QM) has helped establish between physics and other disciplines. Drawing on the most recent research in QM education, we will address the epistemological paradigms that underpin our understanding of nature and the cultural significance of this theory for the intellectual development of students at various educational levels; always maintaining a careful focus on the fundamental educational challenge of teaching and learning about the nature of science through physics education.

Keywords

quantum mechanics
cultural understanding of physics
quantum education
nature of science
quantum teaching and learning

License

This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Article Type: Research Article

EURASIA J Math Sci Tech Ed, Volume 22, Issue 8, August 2026, Article No: em2879

https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/18984

Publication date: 21 Jul 2026

Article Views: 34

Article Downloads: 26

Open Access References How to cite this article

References

Aspect, A., Grangier, P., & Roger, G. (1982). Experimental realization of Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen-Bohm Gedankenexperiment: A new violation of Bell’s inequalities. Physical Review Letters, 49, 91-94. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.49.91
Bell, J. S. (1964). On the Einstein Podolsky Rosen paradox. Physics, 1(3), 195-200. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysicsPhysiqueFizika.1.195
Bell, J. S. (1990). Against ‘measurement’. Physics World, 3(8), 33-41. https://doi.org/10.1088/2058-7058/3/8/26
Blasiak, P., Pothos, E. M., Yearsley, J. M., & Borsuk, E. (2021). Violations of locality and free choice are equivalent resources in Bell experiments. PNAS, 118(17), Article e2020569118. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2020569118
Bohm, D., & Aharonov, Y. (1957). Discussion of experimental proof for the paradox of Einstein, Rosen, and Podolsky. Physical Review, 108(4), Article 1070. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRev.108.1070
Bohr, N. (1928). The quantum postulate and the recent development of atomic theory. Nature, 21(3050), 580-590. https://doi.org/10.1038/121580a0
Bohr, N. (1935). Can quantum-mechanical description of physical reality be considered complete? Physical Review, 48(8), 696-702. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRev.48.696
Bohr, N., Kramers, H. A., & Slater, J. C. (1924). LXXVI. The quantum theory of radiation. The London, Edinburgh, and Dublin Philosophical Magazine and Journal of Science, 47(281), 785-802. https://doi.org/10.1080/14786442408565262
Bouchée, T., de Putter-Smits, L., Thurlings, M., & Pepin, B. (2022). Towards a better understanding of conceptual difficulties in introductory quantum physics courses. Studies in Science Education, 58(2), 183-202. https://doi.org/10.1080/03057267.2021.1963579
Chew, G. F. (1961). S-matrix theory of strong interactions without elementary particles. W. A. Benjamin Inc.
Clauser, J. F. (2002). Early history of Bell’s theorem. In R. A. Bertlmann, & A. Zeilinger (Eds.), Quantum (un)speakables. From Bell to quantum information (pp. 61-98). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-05032-3_6
Del Santo, F., & Schwarzhans, E. (2022). “Philosophysics” at the University of Vienna: The (pre-)history of foundations of quantum physics in the Viennese cultural context. Physics in Perspective, 24(2-3), 125-153. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00016-022-00290-y
Donhauser, A., Bitzenbauer, P. Q., Heusler, S., Küchemann, S., Kuhn, J., & Ubben, M. S. (2024). Empirical insights into the effects of research-based teaching strategies in quantum education. Physical Review Physics Education Research, 20, Article 020601. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevPhysEducRes.20.020601
Duit, R., Gropengießer, H., Kattmann, U., Komorek, M., & Parchmann, I. (2012). The model of educational reconstruction – A framework for improving teaching and learning science. In D. Jorde, & J. Dillon (Eds.), Science education research and practice in Europe (pp. 13-17). Sense Publishers. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-6091-900-8_2
Einstein, A., Podolsky, B., & Rosen, N. (1935). Can quantum-mechanical description of physical reality be considered complete? Physical Review, 47(10), 777-780. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRev.47.777
Ekert, A. K. (1991). Quantum cryptography based on Bell’s theorem. Physical Review Letters, 67(6), 661-663. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.67.661
Fetter, A. L., & Walecka, J. D. (2003). Quantum theory of many-particle systems. Dover Publications.
Freire Jr, O. (2009). Quantum dissidents: Research on the foundations of quantum theory circa 1970. Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics, 40, 280-289. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.shpsb.2009.09.002
Freire Jr, O. (2015). The quantum dissidents: Rebuilding the foundations of quantum mechanics (1950-1990). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-44662-1
Giannetto, E. (1989). Su alcuni manoscritti inediti di Ettore Majorana [On some unpublished manuscripts by Ettore Majorana]. In F. Bevilacqua (Ed.), Atti del IX Congresso Nazionale di Storia della Fisica (pp. 173-185). Goliardica Pavese.
Giliberti, M., & Lovisetti, L. (2024a). Old quantum theory and early quantum mechanics: A historical perspective commented for the inquiring reader. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-57934-9
Giliberti, M., & Lovisetti, L. (2024b). The Schrödinger equation for a non-quantized matter field: A theoretical introduction for physics education researchers. Journal of Physics: Conference Series 2727, Article 012012. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/2727/1/012012
Giliberti, M., & Lovisetti, L. (2025a). Heisenberg’s 1925 “Umdeutung” paper. A commented translation from a physicist’s perspective. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-96921-8
Giliberti, M., & Lovisetti, L. (2025b). Teaching quantum mechanics within a nature-of-science framework. American Journal of Physics, 93(2), 172-179. https://doi.org/10.1119/5.0210636
Giliberti, M., Karwasz, G., Lovisetti, L., Organtini, G., Rosi, T., Onorato, P., Oss, S., Surace, G., & Tufino, E. (2025). Cultural understanding of physics: Instruments and methods. In Z. Ješková, & J. Hanč (Eds.), Advancing physics education. Innovations from early learning to higher education (pp. 177-197). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-94207-5_11
Greca, I. M., & Freire Jr, O. (2014). Meeting the challenge: Quantum physics in introductory physics courses. In M. R. Mathews (Ed.), International handbook of research in history, philosophy and science teaching (pp. 183-209). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-7654-8_7
Heisenberg, W. (1925). Über quantentheoretische Umdeutung kinematischer und mechanischer Beziehungen [On the quantum-theoretical reinterpretation of kinematic and mechanical relationships]. Zeitschrift für Physik, 33(1), 879-893. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01328377
Heisenberg, W. (1927). Über den anschaulichen Inhalt der quantentheoretischen Kinematik und Mechanik [On the intuitive content of quantum-theoretical kinematics and mechanics]. Zeitschrift für Physik, 43(3-4), 172-198. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01397280
Heisenberg, W. (1943). Die “beobachtbaren Größen” in der Theorie der Elementarteilchen [The “observable quantities” in the theory of elementary particles]. Zeitschrift für Physik, 120(7-10), 513-538. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01329800
Heitler, W. (1953). The quantum theory of radiation. Dover Publications, Inc.
Hooft, G. (2015). The evolution of quantum field theory: From QED to grand unification. In Advanced series on directions in high energy physics (pp. 1-27). World Scientific. https://doi.org/10.1142/9789814733519_0001
Jammer, M. (1974). The philosophy of quantum mechanics: The interpretations of quantum mechanics in historical perspective. John Wiley and Sons.
Karwasz, G. P., & Wyborska, K. (2023). How constructivist environment changes perception of learning: Physics is fun. Education Sciences, 13(2), Article 195. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci13020195
Kołos, W., & Wolniewicz, L. (1964). Accurate adiabatic treatment of the ground state of the hydrogen molecule. The Journal of Chemical Physics, 41, 3663-3673. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1725796
Landau, L. D., & Lifshitz, E. (1977). Quantum mechanics: Non-relativistic theory (3rd ed.). Pergamon Press.
Liu, W., Li, X., & Li, G. (2025). The contributions of philosophy of science in science education research: A literature review. Science & Education, 34(3), 1203-1222. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11191-023-00485-w
Lovisetti, L. (2024). “Can old quantum theoretical description of physics be rendered coherent?”: A pilot experimentation for high schools. Il Nuovo Cimento C, 47(5), Article 277. https://doi.org/10.1393/ncc/i2024-24277-6
Lovisetti, L., & Giliberti, M. (2025). Can old-quantum-theoretical description of physical reality be considered worth teaching? In I. Testa, M. Michelini, & S. Esposito (Eds.), Connecting physics education research and practice (pp. 155-172). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-86609-8_10
Lovisetti, L., & Giliberti, M. (2026). Scientific modeling and the nature of science: The case of Thomson’s atom. American Journal of Physics, 94(7), 547-554. https://doi.org/10.1119/5.0318972
Lovisetti, L., Organtini, G., & Giliberti, M. (2023). Inducing the construction of formal axioms of quantum mechanics and fostering their comprehension by high school students: The effectiveness of a conceptual approach. Il Nuovo Cimento C, 46(6), Article 200. https://doi.org/10.1393/ncc/i2023-23200-1
Margenau, H. (1941). Metaphysical elements in physics. Reviews of Modern Physics, 13, 176-199 https://doi.org/10.1103/RevModPhys.13.176
Mermin, N. D. (1981). Quantum mysteries for anyone. The Journal of Philosophy, 78(7), 397-408. https://doi.org/10.2307/2026482
Mermin, N. D. (1989). What’s wrong with this pillow? Physics Today, 42(4), 9-10. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2810963
National Quantum Initiative. (2025). National quantum initiative. Quantum. https://www.quantum.gov/
Nobel Prize. (2025). The Nobel Prize in physics 2022. Nobel Prize. https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/physics/2022/press-release/
Pais, A. (1986). Inward bound: Of matter and forces in the physical world. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2815127
Peskin, M., & Schroeder, D. (1995). An introduction to quantum field theory. CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/9780429503559
Poincaré, H. (1880). Note sur les principes de la mécanique dans Descartes et dans Leibnitz [Note on the principles of mechanics in Descartes and Leibniz]. In E. Boutroux (Ed.), La Monadologie (pp. 225-231). Delagrave.
Preparata, G. (2002). An introduction to a realistic quantum physics. World Scientific. https://doi.org/10.1142/5111
Quantum Flagship. (2025). Quantum flagship. QT. https://qt.eu/
Reid, M. D., Drummond, P. D., Bowen, W. P., Cavalcanti, E. G., Lam, P. K., Bachor, H. A., Andersen, U. L., Leuchs, G. (2009). Colloquium: The Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen paradox: From concepts to applications. Reviews of Modern Physics, 81(4), 1727-1751. https://doi.org/10.1103/RevModPhys.81.1727
Schlosshauer, M. (2013). Agreeing to disagree. Physics World, 26(3), Article 29. https://doi.org/10.1088/2058-7058/26/03/32
Schrödinger, E. (1935a). Die gegenwärtige Situation in der Quantenmechanik [The current situation in quantum mechanics]. Naturwissenschaften, 23(48), 807-812. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01491891
Schrödinger, E. (1935b). Discussion of probability relations between separated systems. Mathematical Proceedings of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, 31(4), 555-563. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0305004100013554
Schrödinger, E. (1936). Probability relations between separated systems. Mathematical Proceedings of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, 32(3), 446-452. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0305004100019137
Spegel-Lexne, D., Gomez, S., Argillander, J., Pawlowski, M., Dieguez, P. R., Alarcon, A., & Xavier, G. B. (2024). Experimental demonstration of the equivalence of entropic uncertainty with wave-particle duality. Science Advances, 10(49), Article eadr2007. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adr2007
Susskind, L., & Friedman, A. (2015). Quantum mechanics. A theoretical minimum. Penguin Books.
Tuero-O’Donnell, J. D., Castrejón, G., & Olivo, P. G. (2026). Impact of a philosophical didactic approach on the development of critical thinking: Qualitative evidence from the teaching of quantum physics. Journal of New Approaches in Educational Research, 15, Article 10. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44322-026-00059-y
Wheeler, J. A. (1937). On the mathematical description of light nuclei by the method of resonating group structure. Physical Review, 52, 1107-1122. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRev.52.1107

How to cite this article

APA

Giliberti, M. A. L., Giannetto, E., Wyborska, K., Fedus, K., Karwasz, G., & Lovisetti, L. (2026). Quantum mechanics 2025 at the crossroads of science and humanities: Towards the epiphany of a new cultural world a century later. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 22(8), em2879. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/18984

Vancouver

Giliberti MAL, Giannetto E, Wyborska K, Fedus K, Karwasz G, Lovisetti L. Quantum mechanics 2025 at the crossroads of science and humanities: Towards the epiphany of a new cultural world a century later. EURASIA J Math Sci Tech Ed. 2026;22(8):em2879. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/18984

AMA

Giliberti MAL, Giannetto E, Wyborska K, Fedus K, Karwasz G, Lovisetti L. Quantum mechanics 2025 at the crossroads of science and humanities: Towards the epiphany of a new cultural world a century later. EURASIA J Math Sci Tech Ed. 2026;22(8), em2879. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/18984

Chicago

Giliberti, Marco Alessandro Luigi, Enrico Giannetto, Katarzyna Wyborska, Kamil Fedus, Grzegorz Karwasz, and Luisa Lovisetti. "Quantum mechanics 2025 at the crossroads of science and humanities: Towards the epiphany of a new cultural world a century later". Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education 2026 22 no. 8 (2026): em2879. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/18984

Harvard

Giliberti, M. A. L., Giannetto, E., Wyborska, K., Fedus, K., Karwasz, G., and Lovisetti, L. (2026). Quantum mechanics 2025 at the crossroads of science and humanities: Towards the epiphany of a new cultural world a century later. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 22(8), em2879. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/18984

MLA

Giliberti, Marco Alessandro Luigi et al. "Quantum mechanics 2025 at the crossroads of science and humanities: Towards the epiphany of a new cultural world a century later". Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, vol. 22, no. 8, 2026, em2879. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/18984