Conceptual Developments of 20th Century Field Theories

ISBN-13: 9781108476072 / Angielski / Twarda / 2019 / 458 str.

Tian Yu Cao

Opis

This new edition of Conceptual Developments of 20th Century Field Theories explores the conceptual foundations and historical roots of fundamental field theories, and uncovers their underlying issues, logic and dynamics. It includes revised and elaborated sections on gauge theory, quantum field theory, ontological synthesis and scientific realism.

Spis treści

Preface; 1. Introduction; 2. The rise of classical field theory; Part I. The Geometrical Programme for Fundamental Interactions: 3. Einstein's route to the gravitational field; 4. The general theory of relativity (GTR); 5. The geometrical programme (GP); Part II. The Quantum Field Programme for Fundamental Interactions: 6. The rise of quantum theory; 7. The formation of the conceptual foundations of quantum field theory; 8. The quantum field programme (QFP); Part III. The Gauge Field Programme for Fundamental Interactions: 9. The route to gauge fields; 10. The formation of the conceptual foundations of gauge field theories; 11. The gauge field programme (GFP); 12. Ontological synthesis and scientific realism; Appendices; Bibliography; Index.