The conceptual foundations of quantum physics are discussed based on the hypothesis that physics has progressed towards the basic laws of nature by isolating objects from their environment. Observable objects are coupled to their environment by spontaneous quantum jumps and, therefore, their motion is affected by statistical laws. A completely deterministic evolution is possible only in the idealised case of isolated objects. The evolution of these unobservable idealised objects is described by the dynamical laws of quantum mechanics.

PACS: 03.65.Bz, 05.45.+b, 05.70.Ln, 06.20.Dk (all) DOI: 10.1070/PU1996v039n06ABEH000152 URL: https://ufn.ru/en/articles/1996/6/e/ A1996UZ88800005 Citation: Oppen G "Objects and environment" Phys. Usp. 39 617–622 (1996) BibTexBibNote ® (generic)BibNote ® (RIS)MedlineRefWorks Оригинал: Оппен Г «Объекты и окружение» УФН 166 661–667 (1996); DOI: 10.3367/UFNr.0166.199606e.0661