Physics and our View of the World
Physics and our View of the World
One of the central questions of physics is whether or not a Theory of Everything is possible. Many physicists believe that such a theory might be attainable, a belief which has led to speculation that we might one day 'know the mind of God'. But what would be the philosophical implications of having a blueprint for the Universe? In this fascinating book, a group of distinguished physicists and philosophers examine not only the claims of modern physics, but also the impact these claims have on our view of the world. Based on talks given at the Third Erasmus Ascension Symposium in The Netherlands, the book contains contributions from John Barrow, Paul Davies, Dennis Dieks, Willem Drees, Paul Feyerabend, Bas van Fraassen, Mary Hesse, Gerard 't Hooft and Ernan McMullin.
At a time when many people view science with deep suspicion, this book will be of great interest to anyone wishing to explore the complex relationships that exist between physics and philosophy, theology and ideology.
- Unique text which examines the relationship between physics and philosophy
- Well-known contributers, i.e. Paul Davies
- Accessible to a wide readership
Reviews & endorsements
'the articles are mostly extremely well written and make for enjoyable and stimulating reading. The style is straightforward and without scholarly pedantry and jargon; the writers let the big ideas speak for themselves.' Observatory
'This book has a brief bibliography and a useful index. It is a challenging text, to be recommended to the many who have enjoyed the struggle to follow Stephen Hawking through his Brief History of Time .' Charles Pereira, Tropical Agriculture Newsletter
Product details
No date availableHardback
9780521453721
314 pages
255 × 180 × 24 mm
0.82kg
12 b/w illus.
Table of Contents
- Foreword
- 1. Introduction JAN HILGEVOORD
- 2. Questioning the answers GERARD T. HOOFT
- 3. Theories of everything JOHN BARROW
- 4. The scientific view of the world DENNIS DIEKS
- 5. Enlarging the world ERNAN McMULLIN
- 6. The world of empiricism BAS VAN FRAASSEN
- 7. Has the scientific view of the world a special status compared with other views? PAUL FEYERABEND
- 8. Quantum theory and our view of the world PAUL FEYERABEND
- 9. Interpretation of science - science as interpretation BAS VAN FRAASSEN
- 10. Problems in debates about physics and religion WILLEM DREES
- 11. The mind of God PAUL DAVIES
- 12. The sources of models for God: metaphysics or metaphor? MARY HESSE
- 13. Discussion.
