The Philosophy of Physics

Pursues the development of physics from Galileo and Newton to Einstein and the founders of quantum mechanics.

Roberto Torretti (Author)

9780521565714, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 28 October 1999

532 pages, 14 b/w illus.
22.9 x 15.2 x 3 cm, 0.72 kg

'I thoroughly recommend this book … there is no doubt that Torretti presents a shining example of physics and philosophy intelligently interacting, structured as a sweeping historical review. For those inspired to venture further the comprehensive bibliography will be an added bonus.' Zentrallblatt für Mathematik

A magisterial study of the philosophy of physics that both introduces the subject to the non-specialist and contains many original and important contributions for professionals in the area. Modern physics was born as a part of philosophy and has retained to this day a properly philosophical concern for the clarity and coherence of ideas. Any introduction to the philosophy of physics must therefore focus on the conceptual development of physics itself. This book pursues that development from Galileo and Newton through Maxwell and Boltzmann to Einstein and the founders of quantum mechanics. There is also discussion of important philosophers of physics in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries and of twentieth-century debates. In the interest of appealing to the broadest possible readership the author avoids technicalities and explains both the physics and philosophical terms.

1. The transformation of natural philosophy in the seventeenth century
2. Newton
3. Kant
4. The rich nineteenth century
5. Relativity
6. Quantum mechanics
7. Perspectives and reflections
Supplements
Endnotes
References.

Subject Areas: Philosophy of science [PDA], Social & political philosophy [HPS]