From Physics to Philosophy

by Jeremy Butterfield, Constantine Pagonis

Overview

This collection of essays by leading philosophers of physics offers philosophical perspectives on two central elements of modern physics, quantum theory and relativity. The topics examined include the notorious "measurement problem" of quantum theory and the attempts to solve it by attributing extra values to physical quantities, the mysterious non-locality of quantum theory, and the philosophical aspects of the search for a theory of quantum gravity. Together the essays represent some of the most recent research in philosophy of physics, and break new ground within the philosophy of quantum theory.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521660259
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	12/28/1999
Pages:	252
Product dimensions:	6.18(w) x 9.29(h) x 0.83(d)

Table of Contents

Introduction Jeremy Butterfield and Constantine Pagonis; 1. Locality and the Hardy Theorem Arthur Fine; 2. Beables in algebraic quantum theory Rob Clifton; 3. Aspects of objectivity in quantum mechanics Harvey Brown; 4. The beables of relativistic pilot-wave theory Simon Saunders; 5. Bohemian mechanics and chaos James Cushing and Gary Bowman; 6. Strange positions Gordon Fleming and Jeremy Butterfield; 7. From metaphysics to physics Gordon Belot and John Earman; 8. Models and mathematics in physics: the role of group theory Steven French; 9. Can the fundamental laws of nature be the results of evolution? Abner Shimony.

Editorial Reviews

"This collection of nine essays by leading philosophers of physics offers philosophical perspectives on two of the central elements of modern physics, quantum theory and relativity." Book News

"The authors are well acquainted with both philosophical argumentation and mathematical formalism, and following the lead by Professor Redhead, they combine these in intricate and suggestive ways...I enjoyed reading the book immensely...[it] is really what the title promises: a guide from physics to philosophy." Contemporary Physics

"This admirable volume...is a good place to find out what contemporary philosophers of physics regard as important problems. It is good, not just because of the breadth of topics discussed, and the fact that, without exception, the articles are well written and stimulating, but because some contain important results I have not seen elsewhere." Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics

"...this is a fine collection of articles....They reveal the remarkable depth of knowledge of current philosophers of science..." Philosophy in Review

From the Publisher

This collection of nine essays by leading philosophers of physics offers philosophical perspectives on two of the central elements of modern physics, quantum theory and relativity. Among the topics: the "measurement problem" of quantum theory, the nonlocality of quantum theory, the properties of spatial localization in relativistic quantum theories, the role of group theory, and the problem of time in the search for a theory of quantum gravity. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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