1st Edition

Philosophy Of Physics

By Lawrence Sklar Copyright 1992
    260 Pages
    by CRC Press

    264 Pages
    by CRC Press

    The study of the physical world had its origins in philosophy, and, two-and-one-half millennia later, the scientific advances of the twentieth century are bringing the two fields closer together again. So argues Lawrence Sklar in this brilliant new text on the philosophy of physics.Aimed at students of both disciplines, Philosophy of Physics is a broad overview of the problems of contemporary philosophy of physics that readers of all levels of sophistication should find accessible and engaging. Professor Sklar's talent for clarity and accuracy is on display throughout as he guides students through the key problems: the nature of space and time, the problems of probability and irreversibility in statistical mechanics, and, of course, the many notorious problems raised by quantum mechanics.Integrated by the theme of the interconnectedness of philosophy and science, and linked by many references to the history of both disciplines, Philosophy of Physics is always clear, while remaining faithful to the complexity and integrity of the issues. It will take its place as a classic text in a field of fundamental intellectual importance.

    Introduction: Philosophy and the Physical Sciences -- Space, Time, and Motion -- The Introduction of Probability into Physics -- The Quantum Picture of the World -- Reflections on the Interdependence of Philosophy and Science

    Biography

    Lawrence Sklar