Description
Book SynopsisThis is not an introduction to physics but an analysis of its founda tions. Indeed, the aims of this book are: (1) to analyze the form and content of some of the key ideas of physics; (2) to formulate several basic physical theories in an explicit and orderly (i. e. , axiomatic) fashion; (3) to exhibit their presuppositions and discuss some of their philosoph ical implications; (4) to discuss some of the controversial issues, and (5) to debunk certain dusty philosophical tenets that obscure the under standing of physics and hinder its progress. To the extent to which these goals are attained, the volume can serve as a companion to studies in theoretical physics aiming at deepening the understanding of the logical structure and the physical meaning of our science. In order to keep the book slender, whole fields of basic physical research had to be excluded - chiefly many-body physics, quantum field theories, and elementary particle theories. A large coverage was believed to be less important than a comparatively detailed analysis and reconstruction of three representative monuments: classical mechan ics, general relativity, and quantum mechanics, as well as their usually unrecognized presuppositions. The reader is invited to join the project and supply some of the many missing chapters - or to rewrite the present ones entirely.
Table of ContentsFoundations Research.- 1. Object: Fundamental Theories.- 2. Aims: Analysis and Synthesis.- 3. Why Foundations ?.- 4. How FR ?.- 5. Present State of FR.- 6. Outlook.- 1 Toolbox.- 1. Form and Content.- 1.1. Language.- 1.2. Logic.- 1.3. Semantics.- 2. Predicates.- 2.1. Magnitudes.- 2.2. Constants.- 2.3. Semantical and Methodological Status.- 2.4. Dimensions.- 2.5. Scales and Units.- 3. Hypotheses.- 3.1. Assumptions.- 3.2. Law Statements.- 3.3. Variational Principles.- 3.4. Conservation Laws.- 4. Theories.- 4.1. Form and Content.- 4.2. Physical Axiomatics.- 4.3. Theory Construction.- 5. Theory Checking.- 5.1. Testability.- 5.2. Explanation and Prediction.- 5.3. Rival Theories and Programmes.- 2 Protophysics.- 1. Zerological Principles.- 2. Physical Probabilities.- 3. Chronology.- 4. Physical Geometry.- 5. General Systems Theory.- 6. Analytical “Dynamics”.- 6.1. General “Dynamics”.- 6.2. Excursus: Independent Axiomatization of Hamilton’s “Dynamics”.- 6.3. Transition from G to Lagrange’s “Dynamics”.- 6.4. Excursus: Independent Axiomatization of Lagrange’s “Dynamics”.- 6.5. Transition from G to Hamilton-Jacobi’s “Dynamics”.- 6.6. Extensions to Continuous Systems.- 6.7. Intertheory Relations.- 3 Classical Mechanics.- 1. Particle Mechanics.- 1.1. Background and Primitives.- 1.2. Axioms.- 1.3. Sample of Theorems.- 1.4. Analysis.- 2. Continuum Mechanics.- 2.1. Background and Building Blocks.- 2.2. Axioms.- 2.3. Typical Consequences.- 2.4. Tests.- 4 Classical Field Theories.- 1. Classical Electromagnetism.- 1.1. Microelectromagnetism.- 1.2. Alternative Formulations of Microelectromagnetism.- 1.3. Some Typical Theorems.- 1.4. Classical Electrodynamics.- 1.5. Phenomenological Macroelectromagnetism.- 1.6. Representational Macroelectromagnetism.- 1.7. Nonfield Theories of E.M..- 1.8. Testability of CEM.- 2. Special Relativity.- 2.1. Background and Heuristic Cue.- 2.2. Basis of Relativistic Kinematics.- 2.3. Some Logical Consequences.- 2.4. Relativistic Physics.- 2.5. Disputed Questions.- 3. General Relativity.- 3.1. Heuristic Components.- 3.2. Basis of General Relativity.- 3.3. Comments.- 3.4. Some Representative Theorems.- 3.5. Empirical Tests.- 5 Quantum Mechanics.- 1. Quantum Heuristics.- 2. Background and Building Blocks.- 3. Comprehensive Postulates.- 4. Comprehensive Theorems.- 5. Specific Postulates.- 6. Specific Theorems.- 7. Measurement Theory.- 8. Debated Questions.- Epilogue.
