Einstein's Unification

Shedding new light on Einstein's study of unified field theory, this book will interest physicists, historians and philosophers of science.

Jeroen van Dongen (Author)

9780521883467, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 10 June 2010

224 pages, 21 b/w illus.
25.4 x 17.8 x 1.5 cm, 0.6 kg

'… a superb account of Einstein's strategy in discovering the general theory of relativity …' Mathematical Reviews

Why did Einstein tirelessly study unified field theory for more than thirty years? In this book, the author argues that Einstein believed he could find a unified theory of all of nature's forces by repeating the methods he thought he had used when he formulated general relativity. The book discusses Einstein's route to the general theory of relativity, focusing on the philosophical lessons that he learnt. It then addresses his quest for a unified theory for electromagnetism and gravity, discussing in detail his efforts with Kaluza-Klein and, surprisingly, the theory of spinors. From these perspectives, Einstein's critical stance towards the quantum theory comes to stand in a new light. This book will be of interest to physicists, historians and philosophers of science.

Introduction
1. Formulating the gravitational field equations
2. On the method of theoretical physics
3. Unification and field theory
4. Experiment and experience
5. The method as directive: semivectors
6. Unification in five dimensions
7. The method and the quantum
Conclusion
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Relativity physics [PHR], Gravity [PHDV], Cosmology & the universe [PGK], History of science [PDX], Philosophy of science [PDA]