Philosophy and the New Physics

by Jonathan H Powers

Overview

First Published in 1982 Philosophy and the New Physics is a compact and yet remarkably rich excursion through the history of physics from Newtonian mechanics to quantum physics. The theory of relativity, quantum mechanics and ideas about the ‘fundamental constituents’ of matter have attracted a great deal of philosophical comment. Indeed, the originators of some of these theories thought they were solving philosophical problems as well as scientific ones. Classical physics is often portrayed as epitomizing ‘mechanistic materialism’, and the revolution in modern physics is variously claimed to vindicate ‘logical positivism’, ‘operationalism’, ‘organicism’, ‘dialectical materialism’ and ‘Buddhist metaphysics’. In this book Jonathan Powers criticizes all of these claims and argues that such varied and conflicting interpretations are possible because of ineradicable elements of conventionality in scientific theories. This is a must read for scholars and researchers of philosophy of science and philosophy in general.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781000964110
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	07/14/2023
Series:	Routledge Revivals
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	226
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

Jonathan Powers

Table of Contents

List of Figures Acknowledgements New Preface Preface Note to the Second Printing Introduction 1. Physics, Metaphysics, and Mathematics 2. The Classical Framework 3. The Meaning of Relativity 4. The New World of Quantum Physics 5. Physics, Ideology and Absolute Truth Notes Bibliography Appendix Name Index Subject Index