Details

Subject(s)

• Quantum theory [Browse]
• Relativity (Physics) [Browse]

Related name

• Radha, 1928- [Browse]

Summary note

A dialogue between a physicist and a philosopher on the issue of the logical foundations of the Copenhagen interpretation and the theory of relativity. The dialogue is strongly contextualised with respect to the main players in physics during the first 60 years of the 20th century. The emergence of modern physics in the first three decades of the 20th century was accompanied by a loss of determinism. That loss is embodied in the Copenhagen interpretation of the theory of relativity. The development of physics-based technologies, both constructive and destructive occurred shortly thereafter at so dizzying a rate that scientists rarely took a critical look at the logical foundations of the Copenhagen interpretation and the theory of relativity, or at the consequences of the loss of determinism.;This book contains a dialogue between a physicist and a philosopher on that issue. The dialogue is strongly contextualized with respect to the main players in physics during the first 60 years of the 20th century, and to the prevailing political conditions in Western Europe and the USA. It was galvanized by the debate and the subsequent abandonment of the Superconducting Super Collider, and also affords a lively understanding of Greek epistemology. Questioned by the philosopher, the physicist provides an account of the directions taken by physicists and the roads not travelled, as well as his own understanding of the nature of matter.

Notes

Originally published in German. Munich : Universitas Verlag, 1997.

Bibliographic references

Includes bibliographical references (p. 189-194) and index.

Target audience

• general.
• research & professional.

Language note

English

Contents

First conversation; second conversation; third conversation; fourth conversation; fifth conversation; the physical interpretation of the wave function; theory of relativity; particle physics - today.

ISBN

• 9786611960759
• 1-281-96075-6
• 981-281-185-0

OCLC

815756575

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