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The study of the physical world had its origins in philosophy, and,
two-and-one-half millennia later, the scientific advances of the
twentieth century are bringing the two fields closer together
again. So argues Lawrence Sklar in this brilliant new text on the
philosophy of physics.Aimed at students of both disciplines,
Philosophy of Physics is a broad overview of the problems of
contemporary philosophy of physics that readers of all levels of
sophistication should find accessible and engaging. Professor
Sklar's talent for clarity and accuracy is on display throughout as
he guides students through the key problems: the nature of space
and time, the problems of probability and irreversibility in
statistical mechanics, and, of course, the many notorious problems
raised by quantum mechanics.Integrated by the theme of the
interconnectedness of philosophy and science, and linked by many
references to the history of both disciplines, Philosophy of
Physics is always clear, while remaining faithful to the complexity
and integrity of the issues. It will take its place as a classic
text in a field of fundamental intellectual importance.
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?
About the Series
Contemporary philosophy of science combines a general study from a
philosophical perspective of the methods of science, with an
inquiry, again from the philosophical point of view, into
foundational issues that arise in the various special sciences.
Methodological philosophy of science has deep connections with
issues at the center of pure philosophy. It makes use of important
results, for example, in traditional epistemology, metaphysics and
the philosophy of language. It also connects in various ways with
other disciplines such as the history and sociology of the
sciences, with pure logic, and with such branches of mathematics as
probability theory.
These volumes are, for the most part, devoted to readings in the
methodological aspects of the philosophy of science. One volume,
however, takes up the philosophical issues in the foundations of a
particularly important special science, that is the issues in the
foundations of theories of contemporary physics.
The methodological volumes cover a number of crucial general
problem areas. The first volume takes up issues in the nature of
scientific explanation, and the related issues of the nature of
scientific law and of the casual relation among events. The second
volume explores issues in the nature and structure of scientific
theories. The third volume collects inquiries into the nature of
scientific change, as one theory is replaced by another. Volume
four is devoted to readings concerning the nature of probability
and the nature and justification of inductive reasoning in science.
The following volume continues the exploration of the issue of
confirming and rejecting theories with a series of readingsdevoted
to Bayesian methodologies in science and to the exploration of
non-inductive strategies for rationalizing belief. Finally, volume
six explores three major problem areas in the foundation of
physics: the nature and rationale for physical theories of space
and time; the interpretive problems arising out of the quantum
theory; and some puzzles arising out of statistical mechanical
theories of physics.
The readings are selected and arranged to provide the user with
systematic access to the most important contemporary themes in
methodological philosophy of science and in philosophy of physics.
The selections include many recent contributions to the field, as
well as papers and extracts from books and journals otherwise not
easily available.
About the Series
Contemporary philosophy of science combines a general study from a
philosophical perspective of the methods of science, with an
inquiry, again from the philosophical point of view, into
foundational issues that arise in the various special sciences.
Methodological philosophy of science has deep connections with
issues at the center of pure philosophy. It makes use of important
results, for example, in traditional epistemology, metaphysics and
the philosophy of language. It also connects in various ways with
other disciplines such as the history and sociology of the
sciences, with pure logic, and with such branches of mathematics as
probability theory.
These volumes are, for the most part, devoted to readings in the
methodological aspects of the philosophy of science. One volume,
however, takes up the philosophical issues in the foundations of a
particularly important special science, that is the issues in the
foundations of theories of contemporary physics.
The methodological volumes cover a number of crucial general
problem areas. The first volume takes up issues in the nature of
scientific explanation, and the related issues of the nature of
scientific law and of the casual relation among events. The second
volume explores issues in the nature and structure of scientific
theories. The third volume collects inquiries into the nature of
scientific change, as one theory is replaced by another. Volume
four is devoted to readings concerning the nature of probability
and the nature and justification of inductive reasoning in science.
The following volume continues the exploration of the issue of
confirming and rejecting theories with a series of readingsdevoted
to Bayesian methodologies in science and to the exploration of
non-inductive strategies for rationalizing belief. Finally, volume
six explores three major problem areas in the foundation of
physics: the nature and rationale for physical theories of space
and time; the interpretive problems arising outof the quantum
theory; and some puzzles arising out of statistical mechanical
theories of physics.
The readings are selected and arranged to provide the user with
systematic access to the most important contemporary themes in
methodological philosophy of science and in philosophy of physics.
The selections include many recent contributions to the field, as
well as papers and extracts from books and journals otherwise not
easily available.
About the Series
Contemporary philosophy of science combines a general study from a
philosophical perspective of the methods of science, with an
inquiry, again from the philosophical point of view, into
foundational issues that arise in the various special sciences.
Methodological philosophy of science has deep connections with
issues at the center of pure philosophy. It makes use of important
results, for example, in traditional epistemology, metaphysics and
the philosophy of language. It also connects in various ways with
other disciplines such as the history and sociology of the
sciences, with pure logic, and with such branches of mathematics as
probability theory.
These volumes are, for the most part, devoted to readings in the
methodological aspects of the philosophy of science. One volume,
however, takes up the philosophical issues in the foundations of a
particularly important special science, that is the issues in the
foundations of theories of contemporary physics.
The methodological volumes cover a number of crucial general
problem areas. The first volume takes up issues in the nature of
scientific explanation, and the related issues of the nature of
scientific law and of the casual relation among events. The second
volume explores issues in the nature and structure of scientific
theories. The third volume collects inquiries into the nature of
scientific change, as one theory is replaced by another. Volume
four is devoted to readings concerning the nature of probability
and the nature and justification of inductive reasoning in science.
The following volume continues the exploration of the issue of
confirming and rejecting theories with a series of readingsdevoted
to Bayesian methodologies in science and to the exploration of
non-inductive strategies for rationalizing belief. Finally, volume
six explores three major problem areas in the foundation of
physics: the nature and rationale for physical theories of space
and time; the interpretive problems arising out of the quantum
theory; and some puzzles arising out of statistical mechanical
theories of physics.
The readings are selected and arranged to provide the user with
systematic access to the most important contemporary themes in
methodological philosophy of science and in philosophy of physics.
The selections include many recent contributions to the field, as
well as papers and extracts from books and journals otherwise not
easily available.
About the Series
Contemporary philosophy of science combines a general study from a
philosophical perspective of the methods of science, with an
inquiry, again from the philosophical point of view, into
foundational issues that arise in the various special sciences.
Methodological philosophy of science has deep connections with
issues at the center of pure philosophy. It makes use of important
results, for example, in traditional epistemology, metaphysics and
the philosophy of language. It also connects in various ways with
other disciplines such as the history and sociology of the
sciences, with pure logic, and with such branches of mathematics as
probability theory.
These volumes are, for the most part, devoted to readings in the
methodological aspects of the philosophy of science. One volume,
however, takes up the philosophical issues in the foundations of a
particularly important special science, that is the issues in the
foundations of theories of contemporary physics.
The methodological volumes cover a number of crucial general
problem areas. The first volume takes up issues in the nature of
scientific explanation, and the related issues of the nature of
scientific law and of the casual relation among events. The second
volume explores issues in the nature and structure of scientific
theories. The third volume collects inquiries into the nature of
scientific change, as one theory is replaced by another. Volume
four is devoted to readings concerning the nature of probability
and the nature and justification of inductive reasoning in science.
The following volume continues the exploration of the issue of
confirming and rejecting theories with a series of readingsdevoted
to Bayesian methodologies in science and to the exploration of
non-inductive strategies for rationalizing belief. Finally, volume
six explores three major problem areas in the foundation of
physics: the nature and rationale for physical theories of space
and time; the interpretive problems arising out of the quantum
theory; and some puzzles arising out of statistical mechanical
theories of physics.
The readings are selected and arranged to provide the user with
systematic access to the most important contemporary themes in
methodological philosophy of science and in philosophy of physics.
The selections include many recent contributions to the field, as
well as papers and extracts from books and journals otherwise not
easily available.
Although now replaced by more modern theories, classical mechanics
remains a core foundational element of physical theory. From its
inception, the theory of dynamics has been riddled with conceptual
issues and differing philosophical interpretations and throughout
its long historical development, it has shown subtle conceptual
refinement. The interpretive program for the theory has also shown
deep evolutionary change over time. Lawrence Sklar discusses
crucial issues in the central theory from which contemporary
foundational theories are derived and shows how some core issues
(the nature of force, the place of absolute reference frames) have
nevertheless remained deep puzzles despite the increasingly
sophisticated understanding of the theory which has been acquired
over time. His book will be of great interest to philosophers of
science, philosophers in general and physicists concerned with
foundational interpretive issues in their field.
About the Series
Contemporary philosophy of science combines a general study from a
philosophical perspective of the methods of science, with an
inquiry, again from the philosophical point of view, into
foundational issues that arise in the various special sciences.
Methodological philosophy of science has deep connections with
issues at the center of pure philosophy. It makes use of important
results, for example, in traditional epistemology, metaphysics and
the philosophy of language. It also connects in various ways with
other disciplines such as the history and sociology of the
sciences, with pure logic, and with such branches of mathematics as
probability theory.
These volumes are, for the most part, devoted to readings in the
methodological aspects of the philosophy of science. One volume,
however, takes up the philosophical issues in the foundations of a
particularly important special science, that is the issues in the
foundations of theories of contemporary physics.
The methodological volumes cover a number of crucial general
problem areas. The first volume takes up issues in the nature of
scientific explanation, and the related issues of the nature of
scientific law and of the casual relation among events. The second
volume explores issues in the nature and structure of scientific
theories. The third volume collects inquiries into the nature of
scientific change, as one theory is replaced by another. Volume
four is devoted to readings concerning the nature of probability
and the nature and justification of inductive reasoning in science.
The following volume continues the exploration of the issue of
confirming and rejecting theories with a series of readingsdevoted
to Bayesian methodologies in science and to the exploration of
non-inductive strategies for rationalizing belief. Finally, volume
six explores three major problem areas in the foundation of
physics: the nature and rationale for physical theories of space
and time; the interpretive problems arising out of the quantum
theory; and some puzzles arising out of statistical mechanical
theories of physics.
The readings are selected and arranged to provide the user with
systematic access to the most important contemporary themes in
methodological philosophy of science and in philosophy of physics.
The selections include many recent contributions to the field, as
well as papers and extracts from books and journals otherwise not
easily available.
Although now replaced by more modern theories, classical mechanics
remains a core foundational element of physical theory. From its
inception, the theory of dynamics has been riddled with conceptual
issues and differing philosophical interpretations and throughout
its long historical development, it has shown subtle conceptual
refinement. The interpretive program for the theory has also shown
deep evolutionary change over time. Lawrence Sklar discusses
crucial issues in the central theory from which contemporary
foundational theories are derived and shows how some core issues
(the nature of force, the place of absolute reference frames) have
nevertheless remained deep puzzles despite the increasingly
sophisticated understanding of the theory which has been acquired
over time. His book will be of great interest to philosophers of
science, philosophers in general and physicists concerned with
foundational interpretive issues in their field.
Statistical mechanics is one of the crucial fundamental theories of
physics, and in his new book Lawrence Sklar, one of the pre-eminent
philosophers of physics, offers a comprehensive, non-technical
introduction to that theory and to attempts to understand its
foundational elements. Among the topics treated in detail are:
probability and statistical explanation, the basic issues in both
equilibrium and non-equilibrium statistical mechanics, the role of
cosmology, the reduction of thermodynamics to statistical
mechanics, and the alleged foundation of the very notion of time
asymmetry in the entropic asymmetry of systems in time. The book
emphasises the interaction of scientific and philosophical modes of
reasoning, and in this way will interest all philosophers of
science as well as those in physics and chemistry concerned with
philosophical questions. The book could also be read by an informed
general reader interested in the foundations of modern science.
The study of the physical world had its origins in philosophy, and,
two-and-one-half millennia later, the scientific advances of the
twentieth century are bringing the two fields closer together
again. So argues Lawrence Sklar in this brilliant new text on the
philosophy of physics.Aimed at students of both disciplines,
"Philosophy of Physics" is a broad overview of the problems of
contemporary philosophy of physics that readers of all levels of
sophistication should find accessible and engaging. Professor
Sklar's talent for clarity and accuracy is on display throughout as
he guides students through the key problems: the nature of space
and time, the problems of probability and irreversibility in
statistical mechanics, and, of course, the many notorious problems
raised by quantum mechanics.Integrated by the theme of the
interconnectedness of philosophy and science, and linked by many
references to the history of both disciplines, "Philosophy of
Physics" is always clear, while remaining faithful to the
complexity and integrity of the issues. It will take its place as a
classic text in a field of fundamental intellectual importance.
Lawrence Sklar examines three kinds of philosophical scepticism about truth in science, and reveals the important role that they play within foundational science itself, especially physics. Theory and Truth shows that one cannot understand the methods of science except by understanding philosophy, and one cannot fruitfully pursue philosophy of science without understanding foundational science as well.
The systematic study of the physical world had its orgins in
philosophy; two-and-a-half millennia later, the scientific advances
of the twentieth century are bringing the two fields closer
together again. In this brilliant new textbook, Lawrence Sklar
gives a broad overview of contemporary philosophy of physics which
readers at all levels, especially students, should find accessible
and engaging. Professor Sklar provides a clear and accurate guide
to the key topics: the nature of space and time, the problems of
probability and irreversibility in statistical mechanics, and, of
course, the many notorious problems raised by quantum mechanics. He
discusses sophisticated scientific questions, but avoids the use of
technical formalism, so that the discussion will be accessible to
those without a training in philosophy or physics.
In this book, Lawrence Sklar demonstrates the interdependence of
science and philosophy by examining a number of crucial problems on
the nature of space and time--problems that require for their
resolution the resources of philosophy and of physics.
The overall issues explored are our knowledge of the geometry of
the world, the existence of spacetime as an entity over and above
the material objects of the world, the relation between temporal
order and causal order, and the problem of the direction of time.
Without neglecting the most subtle philosophical points or the most
advanced contributions of contemporary physics, the author has
taken pains to make his explorations intelligible to the reader
with no advanced training in physics, mathematics, or philosophy.
The arguments are set forth step-by-step, beginning from first
principles; and the philosophical discussions are supplemented in
detail by nontechnical expositions of crucial features of physical
theories.
Methodological philosophy of science has deep connections with issues at the centre of pure philosophy. This collection is arranged to provide the user with an easy and systematic access into the most important contemporary themes in methodological philosophy of science and in philosophy of physics. The selections include many very recent contributions to the field and many extracts from books and journals otherwise not easily available, resulting in a more comprehensive and richer collection than is available from any other source.
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