Victor Stenger Resources

Over the years I have heard repeated references to Victor Stenger as a physicist whose views are among those which some find most closely supportive of atomism and other aspects of Epicurean philosophy. I see we have an article here already by Godfrey which I will move into this section.

Unfortunately I have never found time to read him myself, but I hope to correct that oversight. For that reason, I don't know if he ever specifically commented on his general approval or disapproval of Epicurus except in regard to basic atomism.

Until I'm able to comment further, i've set up this subforum to expand on Godfrey's earlier observations and allow people a place to make more specific comments.

Here is a good biography of Stenger written on Skeptic.com after his death. Here's his Wikipedia entry.

I see that some Stenger resources are no longer available on the web, but a version on Archive.org exists at this link. These articles include:

Quote

Quantum Time Travel. Reality Check column in Skeptical Briefs Vol. 10, No. 2, June 2000, showing why the Time Travel Causal Paradox ("Grandfater's Paradox") does not apply for pure quantum states, thus allowing time to be reversible at the quantum level.

If you want to read a Short Primer on Quantum Mechanics  go here.

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Papers, Talks and Preprints:

• The Mystical World of Quantum Mechanics Essay that appeared in The Times Higher Educaton Supplement January 5, 2001, p. 20. OK to distribute, with credit.
• "Quantum Quackery." This article appeared in Skeptical Inquirer Vol. 21. No. 1, January/February 1997, p. 37. It was based on an invited talk at the World Skeptics Congress in Buffalo in June, 1996. Link to article on CSICOP web site
• A video of talk on "Quantum Quackery" given at Cal Tech in June, 1996 is available from The Skeptics Society.
• "Quantum Metaphysics." Talk given at the Westminster College, Oxford Conference on the Modern Spiritualities, March 1995. Appearing in "Modern Spiritualities," Prometheus Books1996. Also published in The Scientific Review of Alternative Medicine 1(1), 26-30, 1997.
• "Mystical Physics." Paper published in Free Inquiry 16(3)1996. PDF.
• "Myth of Quantum Consciousness." Paper published in The Humanist, Vol. 53(3), May/June 1993. pp. 13-15. PDF file of paper.

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Book Reviews by V. Stenger:

• "The Dreams that Stuff is Made Of." Review of Dreams of a Final Theory by Steven Weinberg. Published in Free Inquiry 13(3) Summer 1994, p. 59. Text file of review.
• Review of Cranks, Quarks and the Cosmos by Jeremy Bernstein. Published in Physics Today, August 1993. Text file of review.

We can use this thread to make general comments, but those who are more familiar with specific aspects of his work than I am are encourage to start independent threads with titles that reflect the subject.

Also, if anyone runs across any earlier threads on Stenger that need to be moved here, please let me know.