Physics and Our View of the World

ISBN-13: 9780521476805 / Angielski / Miękka / 1994 / 316 str.

Jan Hilgevoord

Opis

One of the central questions of physics is whether or not a theory of everything is possible. Many physicists believe that such a theory might be attainable, a belief that has led to speculation that we might one day "know the mind of God." The philosophical implications of having a blueprint for the Universe are a subject of great debate. In this fascinating book, a group of distinguished physicists and philosophers examine not only the claims of modern physics, but also the impact these claims have on our view of the world. Among the contributors are: Jan Hilgevoord, Gerard 't Hooft, John Barrow, Dennis Dieks, Ernan McMullin, Bas van Fraassen, Paul Feyerabend, Willem Drees, Paul Davies, and Mary Hesse. At a time when many people view science with deep suspicion, this book will be of great interest to anyone wishing to explore the complex relationships that exist between physics and philosophy, theology and ideology.

Recenzje

'This book has a brief bibliography and a useful index. It is a challenging text, to be recommended to the many who have enjoyed the struggle to follow Stephen Hawking through his Brief History of Time .' Charles Pereira, Tropical Agriculture Newsletter

Spis treści

Foreword; 1. Introduction JAN HILGEVOORD; 2. Questioning the answers GERARD T. HOOFT; 3. Theories of everything JOHN BARROW; 4. The scientific view of the world DENNIS DIEKS; 5. Enlarging the world ERNAN McMULLIN; 6. The world of empiricism BAS VAN FRAASSEN; 7. Has the scientific view of the world a special status compared with other views? PAUL FEYERABEND; 8. Quantum theory and our view of the world PAUL FEYERABEND; 9. Interpretation of science - science as interpretation BAS VAN FRAASSEN; 10. Problems in debates about physics and religion WILLEM DREES; 11. The mind of God PAUL DAVIES; 12. The sources of models for God: metaphysics or metaphor? MARY HESSE; 13. Discussion.