Physics and Whitehead: Quantum, Process, and Experience

by Timothy E. Eastman, Hank Keeton

Overview

Featuring discussions and dialogue by prominent scientists and philosophers, this book explores the rich interface of contemporary physics and Whitehead-inspired process thought. The contributors share the conviction that quantum physics not only corroborates many of Whitehead's philosophical theses, but is also illuminated by them. Thus, though differing in perspective or emphasis, the contributions by Geoffrey Chew, David Finkelstein, Henry Stapp and other scientists conceptually dovetail with those of Philip Clayton, Jorge Nobo, Yutaka Tanaka and other process philosophers.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780791459140
Publisher:	State University of New York Press
Publication date:	01/08/2009
Series:	SUNY series in Constructive Postmodern Thought
Pages:	342
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Timothy E. Eastman is Group Manager for Space Science at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center and a consultant in plasma science and technology. Hank Keeton is President of Keeton Construction Corporation and earned his Ph.D. in Philosophy at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley.

Table of Contents

Preface

Series Introduction

Part I. Physics and Whitehead

1 Introduction to Process Thought
Philip Clayton

2. Duality without Dualism
Timothy E. Eastman

3. Whitehead as Mathematical Physicist
Hank Keeton

4. Evidence for Process in the Physical World
John A. Jungerman

5. Dialogue for Part I

Part II. Order and Emergence

6. Constraints on the Origin of Coherence in Far-from-Equilibrium Chemical Systems
Joseph E. Earley Sr.

7. Whitehead's Philosophy and the Collapse of Quantum States
Shimon Malin

8. A Historical Reality That Includes Big Bang, Free Will, and Elementary Particles
Geoffrey F. Chew

9. Whiteheadian Process and Quantum Theory
Henry P. Stapp

10. Dialogue for Part II

Part III. Fundamental Processes

11. The Primacy of Asymmetry over Symmetry in Physics
Joe Rosen

12. Spacetime and Becoming: Overcoming the Contradiction Between Special Relativity and the Passage of Time
Niles Viggo Hansen

13. The Individuality of a Quantum Event: Whitehead's Epochal Theory of Time and Bohr's Framework or Complementarity
Yutaka Tanaka

14. Physical Process and Physical Law
David Ritz Finkelstein

15. Dialogue for Part III

Part IV. Metaphysics

16. Whitehead's Process Philosophy as Scientific Metaphysics
Franz G. Riffert

17. Whitehead and the Quantum Experience
Jorge Luis Nobo

18. Dialogue for Part IV

Glossary

Bibliography

Contributors

Note on Supporting Center

Index

SUNY Series in Constructive Postmodern Thought

Editorial Reviews

"Eastman and Keeton have edited a remarkable collection of essays by prominent scientists and philosophers influenced by the process philosophy of A. N. Whitehead … An introduction by the series editor, dialogues at the end of each part of the book, a glossary, bibliography, and an index enhance the quality of this well-produced volume … Highly recommended." — CHOICE

"Without question this book contains some outstanding and state-of-the-art essays on the very significant issue of the relation between Whitehead's philosophy and contemporary physics. This is a truly needed addition to the growing field of process studies and may well enhance the overall intellectual respectability of process thinking for a wide swath of intelligentsia." — George W. Shields, editor of Process and Analysis: Whitehead, Hartshorne, and the Analytic Tradition

"What excites me most about this book is the effort of leading physicists to advance their reflections about physics through interaction with philosophy—primarily that of Whitehead. It also suggests that, after a long delay, cutting-edge scientists recognize the need of science for some of Whitehead's seminal ideas." — John B. Cobb Jr., Founding Co-director, Center for Process Studies

"This book is full of unexpected insights, new ideas, and useful suggestions. There is also a fascinating juxtaposition of philosophical and scientific viewpoints." — Pete A. Y. Gunter, editor of Creativity in George Herbert Mead

From the Publisher