Physics and our View of the World

An examination of the claims of modern physics, and their impact on our view of the world.

Jan Hilgevoord (Edited by)

9780521476805, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 3 November 1994

316 pages, 12 b/w illus.
24.6 x 18.9 x 1.7 cm, 0.57 kg

'This book has a brief bibliography and a useful index. It is a challenging text, to be recommended to the many who have enjoyed the struggle to follow Stephen Hawking through his Brief History of Time .' Charles Pereira, Tropical Agriculture Newsletter

One of the central questions of physics is whether or not a Theory of Everything is possible. Many physicists believe that such a theory might be attainable, a belief which has led to speculation that we might one day 'know the mind of God'. But what would be the philosophical implications of having a blueprint for the Universe? In this fascinating book, a group of distinguished physicists and philosophers examine not only the claims of modern physics, but also the impact these claims have on our view of the world. Based on talks given at the Third Erasmus Ascension Symposium in The Netherlands, the book contains contributions from John Barrow, Paul Davies, Dennis Dieks, Willem Drees, Paul Feyerabend, Bas van Fraassen, Mary Hesse, Gerard 't Hooft and Ernan McMullin. At a time when many people view science with deep suspicion, this book will be of great interest to anyone wishing to explore the complex relationships that exist between physics and philosophy, theology and ideology.

Foreword
1. Introduction JAN HILGEVOORD
2. Questioning the answers GERARD T. HOOFT
3. Theories of everything JOHN BARROW
4. The scientific view of the world DENNIS DIEKS
5. Enlarging the world ERNAN McMULLIN
6. The world of empiricism BAS VAN FRAASSEN
7. Has the scientific view of the world a special status compared with other views? PAUL FEYERABEND
8. Quantum theory and our view of the world PAUL FEYERABEND
9. Interpretation of science - science as interpretation BAS VAN FRAASSEN
10. Problems in debates about physics and religion WILLEM DREES
11. The mind of God PAUL DAVIES
12. The sources of models for God: metaphysics or metaphor? MARY HESSE
13. Discussion.

Subject Areas: Physics [PH]