The Symbolic Universe: Geometry and Physics 1890-1930

by Jeremy J. Gray

Overview

Physics was transformed between 1890 and 1930, and this volume provides a detailed history of the era and emphasizes the key role of geometrical ideas. The first part of the book discusses the application of n-dimensional differential geometry to mechanics and theoretical physics, the philosophical questions on the reality of geometry, and reviews the broad international debate about the nature of geometry and its connections with psychology. The second part then examines the reception of Einstein's theory of special relativity following 1905. It covers Minkowski's reformulation of the theory, providing the first complete picture of his work, and it describes Einstein's path to formulating general relativity. The chapter on Hilbert's efforts to axiomatize relativity argues against the traditional view of Hilbert as arch-formalist, and the following chapter provides the first detailed account of Emmy Noether's work on physics. The final section examines the work by Ricci, Levi-Civita, and Weyl to give a new formulation of general relativity in terms of the Riemann differential. This collection will be an invaluable resource for historians and philosophers of science.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780198500889
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	07/22/1999
Pages:	302
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.30(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

The Open University

Table of Contents

Notes on contributorsIntroduction, Jeremy GrayPART IIntroduction, Jeremy Gray1. Geometrising configurations. Heinrich Hertz and his mathematical precursors, Jesper Lützen2. Einstein, Poincaré, and the testability of geometry, Arthur Miller3. Geometry—formalisms and intuitions, Jeremy GrayPART IIIntroduction, Jeremy Gray4. The non-Euclidean style of Minkowskian relativity, Scott Walter5. Geometries in collision: Einstein, Klein and Riemann, John D. Norton6. Hilbert and physics (1900-1915), Leo Corry7. The Göttingen response to general relativity and Emmy Noether's theorems, David RowePART IIIIntroduction, Jeremy Gray8. Ricci and Levi-Civita: from differential invariants to general relativity, Umberto Bottazzini9. Weyl and the theory of connections, Erhard ScholzName indexSubject index

Editorial Reviews

"In nine papers from a March 1996 conference in London, historians of science from Europe, Israel, and the US examine relations between the two disciplines during the period, concentrating on attempts to apply geometrical ideas to physics and to understand and reformulate physics in geometric terms. The topics include geometrizing configurations by Heinrich Hertz and his mathematical precursors; Einstein, Poincaré, and the testability of geometry; the non-Euclidean style of Minkowskian relativity; the Göttengen response to general relativity and Emmy Noether's theorems; Ricci and Levi-Civita from differential invariants to general relativity; and Weyl and the theory of connections."—SciTech Book News

"This collection will be interesting for mathematicians working in differential geometry and for physicists interested in relativity. But there is a lot of interesting material for geometers in general, for people working in analysis (especially complex analysis), representation theory of groups, topology, and other areas."—EMS

From the Publisher

In nine papers from a March 1996 conference in London, historians of science from Europe, Israel, and the US examine relations between the two disciplines during the period, concentrating on attempts to apply geometrical ideas to physics and to understand and reformulate physics in geometric terms. The topics include geometrizing configurations by Heinrich Hertz and his mathematical precursors; Einstein, Poincar<'e>, and the testability of geometry; the non-Euclidean style of Minkowskian relativity; the G<:o>ttengen response to general relativity and Emmy Noether's theorems; Ricci and Levi-Civita from differential invariants to general relativity; and Weyl and the theory of connections. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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