Details

Subject(s)

• Metaphysics [Browse]
• Physical constants—Philosophy [Browse]

Series

• Cambridge elements. Elements in the philosophy of physics [More in this series]
• Cambridge elements. Elements in the philosophy of physics, 2632-413X [More in this series]

Summary note

Dimensional quantities such as length, mass and charge, id est, numbers combined with a conventional unit, are essential components of theories in the sciences, especially physics, chemistry and biology. Do they represent a world with absolute physical magnitudes, or are they merely magnitude ratios in disguise? Would we notice a difference if all the distances or charges in the world suddenly doubled? These central questions of this Element are illustrated by imagining how one would convey the meaning of a kilogram to aliens if one were only allowed to communicate via Morse code.

Notes

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 28 Feb 2024).

ISBN

9781009233705 (ebook)

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