Conceptual Developments of 20th Century Field Theories

by Tian Yu Cao

Overview

This new edition of Conceptual Developments of 20th Century Field Theories explores the conceptual foundations and historical roots of fundamental field theories. It also uncovers the underlying issues, logic and dynamics in fundamental physics. In response to new advances in the field over the past twenty years, the sections on gauge theory and quantum field theory have been thoroughly revised and elaborated. The chapter on ontological synthesis and scientific realism has also been reconsidered, now suggesting a new approach that goes beyond structuralism and historicism. Providing an integrated picture of the physical world, it is a valuable resource for theoretical physicists and philosophers of science with an interest in the development of twentieth century mathematical physics. It also provides professional historians and sociologists of science with a basis for further historical, cultural and sociological analysis of the theories discussed.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781108757805
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	10/03/2019
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	6 MB

About the Author

Tian Cao is Professor of Philosophy at Boston University. He is a Research Fellow at Trinity College, University of Cambridge; Senior Smithsonian Institution Fellow; Visiting Fellow at All Souls College, University of Oxford; and Neugebauer Fellow at the Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton University. He is author of From Current Algebra to Quantum Chromodynamics (Ccambridge, 2010); and editor of Conceptual Foundations of Quantum Field Theory (Cambridge, 1999). His research interests include the philosophy and history of science, epistemology, metaphysics, social and political philosophy, with special interest in philosophical issues related to modernity and postmodernity.

Table of Contents

Preface; 1. Introduction; 2. The rise of classical field theory; Part I. The Geometrical Programme for Fundamental Interactions: 3. Einstein's route to the gravitational field; 4. The general theory of relativity (GTR); 5. The geometrical programme (GP); Part II. The Quantum Field Programme for Fundamental Interactions: 6. The rise of quantum theory; 7. The formation of the conceptual foundations of quantum field theory; 8. The quantum field programme (QFP); Part III. The Gauge Field Programme for Fundamental Interactions: 9. The route to gauge fields; 10. The formation of the conceptual foundations of gauge field theories; 11. The gauge field programme (GFP); 12. Ontological synthesis and scientific realism; Appendices; Bibliography; Index.

Editorial Reviews

"...a work of remarkable scope that integrates physics with the history and philosophy of science without being superficial in any of these diverse disciplines. It surely stands alone as a unique intellectual undertaking...an informative and rewarding intellectual experience." James T. Cushing, Physics Today

"Tian Yu Cao has written a very unusual book, very informative and yet challenging to some conventional ideas..." Lauri M. Brown, American Journal of Physics

"The book is studded with gems....it ought to be required reading for every student of relativity, certainly for every teacher of the subject." Arthur Fine, Science

"...a deep and masterly overview of the conceptual foundations of field theories." Helge Kragh, Isis

"...built around the tacit premise that there exists one canon of important physics papers, each with its own correct interpretation....Cao stands poised now to right us in our quest." Historical Studies in the Physics and Biological Sciences

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