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Physical Theory

By Lawrence Sklar

Product Image: Physical Theory

Physical Theory

0 - Default Title
Description
In nine new essays, distinguished philosophers of science take on outstanding philosophical issues that arise in the exploration of the foundations of contemporary, especially physical scientific theories. In the first part of the book issues of scientific method are explored. What are we asking when we pose scientific "why?" questions? How does probability play a role in answering such questions? What are scientific laws of nature? How can we understand what abstract theories are telling us about the world? What is the structure of the theories we use to explain the observable phenomena? Finally, how do theories evolve over time and what consequence do such changes have for our intuition that science is seeking the truth?In the second part of the volume, foundational issues are explored in a number of crucial physical theories. What do our best available theories tell us about space and time? When we apply quantum theory to fields or other systems with infinite degrees of freedom, what new foundational puzzles appear and how might a theory of interpretation deal with them? Finally, what are the crucial foundational issues in statistical mechanics, where probabilities are applied to explain macroscopic thermal phenomena?
Product details
Edition:
illustrated
Number of Pages:
302
Release Date:
2014-10-31
Publication Date:
2014-10-01
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
Languages:
Original: English
ISBN10:
019514564X
ISBN13:
9780195145649
GPSR Manufacturer Reference:
[email protected]
Weight:
559 g
Height:
145 cm
Width:
222 cm
Thickness:
21 cm
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