Eddington's Search for a Fundamental Theory
A Key to the Universe

This 1995 book describes the development of theoretical physics in the first half of this century from the viewpoint of the astrophysicist Arthur Eddington.

C. W. Kilmister (Author)

9780521371650, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 26 January 1995

270 pages, 9 b/w illus.
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.9 cm, 0.57 kg

' … a valuable addition to the literature.' The Times Higher Education Supplement

Sir Arthur Eddington, the celebrated astrophysicist, made great strides towards his own 'theory of everything' in his last two books published in 1936 and 1946. Unlike his earlier lucid and authoritative works, these are strangely tentative and obscure - as if he were nervous of the significant advances that he might be making. This 1995 volume examines both how Eddington came to write these uncharacteristic books - in the context of the physics and history of the day - and what value they have to modern physics. The result is an illuminating description of the development of theoretical physics, in the first half of the twentieth century, from a unique point of view: how it affected Eddington's thought. This will provide fascinating reading for scholars in the philosophy of science, theoretical physics, applied mathematics and the history of science.

Preface
1. The mystery
Part I. 1882–1928: 2. The astrophysicist
3. General relativity
4. Consequences of general relativity
5. 'Something has slipped through the net'
6. Quantum mechanics
Part II. 1928–33: 7. Algebra to the fore
8. Electric charge
9. The proton–electron mass-ratio
Part III. 1933–44: 10. The turning point
11. Critical views of RTPE
12. The last decade
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Physics [PH]