{"product_id":"theory-construction-and-selection-in-modern-physics-the-s-matrix-paperback-9780521017305","title":"Theory Construction and Selection in Modern Physics; The S Matrix (Paperback) 9780521017305","description":"\u003cfont face=\"Georgia\"\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"6\"\u003eTheory Construction and Selection in Modern Physics\u003c\/font\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\u003cfont size=\"5\"\u003eThe S Matrix\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAnalyses what criteria should determine how scientific theories are selected and justified.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"4\"\u003eJames T. Cushing (Author)\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003e9780521017305, Cambridge University Press\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003ePaperback, published 7 July 2005\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003e428 pages\u003cbr\u003e22.8 x 15.3 x 2.6 cm, 0.657 kg\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003e\"...performs a valuable and necessary service by testing theories of scientific explanation against carefully developed accounts of how complex quantitative theories develop, function, and are appraised.\"  Edward M. MacKinnon, Foundations of Physics\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003eOne of the major philosophical problems in physical sciences is what criteria should determine how scientific theories are selected and justified in practice and whether, in describing observable physical phenomena, such theories are effectively constrained to be unique. This book studies the example of a particular theory, the S-matrix theory. The S-matrix program was initiated by Heisenberg to deal with difficulties encountered in quantum field theories in describing particular phenomena. Since then, each theory has at different times been favoured as the explanation of observed phenomena. Certainly the S-matrix theory was adequate, feasible and fertile. However, the quantum field theory interpretation is now widely accepted and the study of alternative theories is all but abandoned. By examining the philosophy which influenced the turns in this story, the author explains how an adequate and viable theory fell out of favour and concludes with a critique of different methodologies in the history of science. This book will be of value to both philosophers of science and physicists interested in the philosophical background to their field.\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003ePreface\u003cbr\u003e 1. Introduction and background\u003cbr\u003e 2. Origin of the S-matrix: Heisenberg's program and a background to dispersion theory\u003cbr\u003e 3. Dispersion relations\u003cbr\u003e 4. Another route to a theory based on analytic reaction amplitudes\u003cbr\u003e 5. The analytic S-matrix\u003cbr\u003e 6. The bootstrap and Regge poles\u003cbr\u003e 7. An autonomous S-matrix program\u003cbr\u003e 8. The duality program\u003cbr\u003e 9. 'Data' for a methodological study\u003cbr\u003e 10. Methodological lessons\u003cbr\u003e Appendix\u003cbr\u003e Notes\u003cbr\u003e References\u003cbr\u003e Glossary of technical terms (from physics and from philosophy)\u003cbr\u003e Some key figures and their positions\u003cbr\u003e Index.\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003eSubject Areas: History of science [\u003ca title=\"See our other books on History of science\" href=\"https:\/\/freshlyprintedbooks.co.uk\/search?q=%22History%20of%20science%20%5BPDX%5D%22\"\u003ePDX\u003c\/a\u003e]\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003c\/font\u003e","brand":"Cambridge University Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46006151446808,"sku":"9780521017305","price":65.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0730\/2037\/5320\/products\/9780521017305i_13d146e8-cff0-48d7-b590-63caedabfdc9.jpg?v=1691376720","url":"https:\/\/freshlyprintedbooks.co.uk\/products\/theory-construction-and-selection-in-modern-physics-the-s-matrix-paperback-9780521017305","provider":"Freshly Printed Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}