Particles and Waves: Historical Essays in the Philosophy of Science

by Peter Achinstein

Overview

Bringing together eleven essays by the distinguished philosopher of science. Peter Achinstein, Particles and Waves explores the nature of the philosophical problems surrounding the postulation of unobservable entities such as light waves, molecules, and electrons. Achinstein examines these problems as they arose in actual scientific practice in three nineteenth-century episodes: the debate between particle and wave theorists of light, James Clerk Maxwell's kinetic theory of gases, and J.J. Thomson's discovery of the electron.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780198023005
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	02/29/2000
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

The Johns Hopkins University

Table of Contents

	General Introduction	3
Part I	Theories of Light: Particles versus Waves
1.	Introduction	13
2.	Newton's Corpuscular Query and Experimental Philosophy	31
3.	Light Hypotheses	69
4.	Hypotheses, Probability, and Waves	117
Part II	Maxwell and the Kinetic Theory of Gases
5.	Introduction	151
6.	Theoretical Derivations	165
7.	Maxwell's Analogies and Kinetic Theory	207
8.	Scientific Discovery and Maxwell's Kinetic Theory	233
9.	The Only Game in Town	259
Part III	Cathode Rays and the Electron
10.	Introduction	281
11.	Theory, Experiment, and Cathode Rays	299
	Index	335

Editorial Reviews

Achinstein (Johns Hopkins U.) discusses methodological issues generated by three episodes in 19th century physics: the wave-particle debate about the nature of light, the development of James Maxwell's first "particle" theory of gases, and J.J. Thomson's discovery that cathode rays are particles, not waves. He chooses these episodes for their common premise that unobservable entities can be used to explain a range of observed phenomena, and addresses these issues in both their historical and current contexts. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

"The Book of Evidence is ambitious in aim and thorough in detail: it seeks to show what is faulty about the major definitions of evidence that hale been on offer and develops a novel view that relates evidence to explanation and realism. This book has a rare combination of analytical clarity and historical sensibility and could only have been written by someone who has been thinking about these issues for several decades."—SIS

"Clearly written and persuasively argued....The conception of scientific method that emerges from this excellent study...is a much more subtle, varied, and complex one than usually depicted....This work should prove to be a landmark in the continuing study of the evolution of scientific methodologies."—Review of Metaphysics

"A first-rate contribution to the history of nineteenth-century physics. . . . breaks new ground . . . will prove to be an important source of new information. Further, physicists NEED to read this book." —Foundations of Physics

"It is valuable to have all the essays in one volume and especially valuable to have the introductory essays to tie the others together....A welcome addition to the literature; recommended for all college libraries."—Choice

"A thoughtful consideration of a broad range of factors affecting rational credibility....Informative and thought-provoking....The book is one which any student of the logic of science would find well worth reading."—The Modern Schoolman

"A terrific book. Rarely has such outstanding history of science been coupled with such subtle and penetrating philosophical analysis....Instead of the usual arm-waving argumentation one associates with historical work in philosophy of science, Particles and Waves deploys the analytical rigor Achinstein is justly famous for. Out of that examination emerges Achinstein's carefully worked-out replacement analysis. Judged against the recent spate of very good historico-philosophical arguments, Achinstein's book stands out as making the most penetrating and profound philosophical contributions."—Frederick Suppe, University of Maryland

From the Publisher