The Philosophy of Physics
The Philosophy of Physics
AUD$67.95
inc GSTA magisterial study of the philosophy of physics that both introduces the subject to the non-specialist and contains many original and important contributions for professionals in the area. Modern physics was born as a part of philosophy and has retained to this day a properly philosophical concern for the clarity and coherence of ideas. Any introduction to the philosophy of physics must therefore focus on the conceptual development of physics itself. This book pursues that development from Galileo and Newton through Maxwell and Boltzmann to Einstein and the founders of quantum mechanics. There is also discussion of important philosophers of physics in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries and of twentieth-century debates. In the interest of appealing to the broadest possible readership the author avoids technicalities and explains both the physics and philosophical terms.
- First volume in a new series on the history of philosophy
- Torretti is a big name in the field
- Books on philosophy of physics can do well for us e.g. Sklar/Physics and Chance
Reviews & endorsements
' … a rich work full of fascinating material on the history of the interaction between physics and philosophy.' Lawrence Sklar
'I thoroughly recommend this book … there is no doubt that Torretti presents a shining example of physics and philosophy intelligently interacting, structured as a sweeping historical review. For those inspired to venture further the comprehensive bibliography will be an added bonus.' Zentrallblatt für Mathematik
Product details
April 2000Paperback
9780521565714
532 pages
229 × 152 × 30 mm
0.72kg
14 b/w illus.
Available
Table of Contents
- 1. The transformation of natural philosophy in the seventeenth century
- 2. Newton
- 3. Kant
- 4. The rich nineteenth century
- 5. Relativity
- 6. Quantum mechanics
- 7. Perspectives and reflections
- Supplements
- Endnotes
- References.
