Idealizations in Physics

This Element explores questions concerning idealizations in physics and discusses their implications.

Elay Shech (Author)

9781108925044, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 26 January 2023

75 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 0.5 cm, 0.147 kg

This Element offers an opinionated and selective introduction to philosophical issues concerning idealizations in physics, including the concept of and reasons for introducing idealization, abstraction, and approximation, possible taxonomy and justification, and application to issues of mathematical Platonism, scientific realism, and scientific understanding.

1. Introduction
2. Idealization, abstraction, and approximation
3. Taxonomies
4. Justification
5. Platonism
6. Realism
7. Understanding
8. Epilogue
References.

Subject Areas: Classical mechanics [PHD], Physics [PH], Philosophy of science [PDA]