Scientific Philosophy

ISBN-13: 9783319976303 / Angielski / Twarda / 2018 / 188 str.

Gustavo E. Romero

Opis

This textbook presents the basics of philosophy that are necessary for the student and researcher in science in order to better understand scientific work.

Spis treści

CONTENTS

1 introduction 1

2 philosophical semantics 7

2.1 Introduction: formal languages 7

2.2 Denotation and designation 10

2.3 Reference 10

2.4 Representation 12

2.5 Intension and sense 13

2.6 Meaning 14

2.7 Vagueness 17

2.8 Theory of truth 18

2.8.1 A short overview of some theories of truth 19

2.8.2 Formal truth 23

2.8.3 Factual truth 23

2.8.4 Relevancy 24

2.8.5 Truth bearers 26

2.8.6 Analytic/Synthetic distinction of propositions 27

3 ontology 31

3.1 Things and composition 31

3.2 Properties and substance 35

3.3 Existence 39

3.4 Levels, systems, structure 41

3.5 Causality 42

3.6 Chance and probability 43

3.7 Space, time, and spacetime 44

3.8 Matter 45

3.9 Mind 45

3.10 Materialism 46

3.11 Information 46

3.12 Biological systems 47

3.13 Social systems 48

4 epistemology 51

4.1 Knowledge 51

4.2 Understanding 54

4.3 Explanation 54

4.4 Sufficient reason 56

4.5 Model 60

4.6 Theories 60

4.7 Science 63

4.8 The limits of science 64

4.9 Technology 66

4.10 Pseudoscience and pseudotechnology 67

4.11 Scientific Philosophy 68

5 ethics 73

5.1 Values 73

5.2 Axiology 75

5.3 Free will 76

5.4 The ontological status of goods, values, and morals 78

5.5 Ethics 78

5.6 Metaethics 80

5.7 Action 80

6 aesthetics 85

6.1 Aesthetic experience 85

6.2 Beauty 86

6.3 Art and artworks 87

6.4 The ontology of art 90

7 mathematical fictionalism 95

7.1 The nature of mathematics 96

7.2 Mathematical objects as conceptual artifacts 98

7.3 Why mathematics can be applied to reality? 100

8 philosophical problems of quantum mechanics 105

8.1 Introduction 105

8.2 Outline of QM 105

8.3 Axiomatization of QM 107

8.3.1 Tools 108

8.3.2 Formal background 111

8.3.3 Material background 111

8.3.4 Remarks 111

8.3.5 Generating basis 112

8.3.6 Definitions 112

8.3.7 Axiomatic basis 113

8.3.8 Axioms 113

8.3.9 Remarks 116

8.3.10 Definitions 116

8.3.11 Some theorems 116

8.3.12 Remarks 118

8.4 Philosophical issues 119

8.5 Extension to systems of many components 120

8.6 EPR and realism 121

8.7 Entanglement 123

9 quantum objects 129

9.1 Introduction 129

9.2 Identity and the quantum world 129

9.3 Ontic vagueness? 133

9.4 Realistic quantum ontology 135

10 ontological problems of spacetime 141

10.1 Introduction 141

10.2 The controversy 142

10.3 Against Presentism 144

10.4 When is ‘now’? 148

10.5 Defining the present 150

10.6 Some further objections against presentism 151

10.7 Event substantivalism and the emergence of things 153

10.8 Defending eternalism 157

10.9 Relationism before time 159

10.10An ontology cozy for science 161

10.11Closing remarks 162

a event ontology 173

a.1 Introduction 173

a.2 A theory of basic events and processes 174

a.3 Causation 180

a.4 Spacetime 180

a.5 Discrete spacetime 183

b boolean algebra 193

c probabilities 195

d suggested readings 197

O autorze

Prof. Dr. Gustavo E. Romero is GARRA group leader, Superior Researcher CONICET, and Full Professor at the University of La Plata, and a Helmholtz International Fellow. His research focuses on astroparticle physics, cosmic rays, relativistic astrophysics, black holes, and scientific philosophy.

He taught the material presented in this book in courses at the University of La Plata (Argentina), the University of San Martín (Argentina), the University of México (UNAM, México), the Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT, Germany), and the University of Barcelona (Spain).

Blurb

This book presents the basics of philosophy that are necessary for the student and researcher in science in order to better understand scientific work. The approach is not historical but formative: tools for semantical analysis, ontology of science, epistemology, and scientific ethics are presented in a formal and direct way. 

The book has two parts: one with the general theory and a second part with application to some problems such as the interpretation of quantum mechanics, the nature of mathematics, and the ontology of spacetime. The book addresses questions such as "What is meaning?", "What is truth?", "What are truth criteria in science?", "What is a theory?", "What is a model?" "What is a datum?", "What is information?", "What does it mean to understand something?", "What is space?", "What is time?", "How are these concepts articulated in science?" "What are values?" "What are the limits of science?", and many more. The philosophical views presented are "scientific" in the sense that they are informed by current science, they are relevant for scientific research, and the method adopted uses the hypothetical-deductive approach that is characteristic of science. The results and conclusions, as any scientific conclusion, are open to revision in the light of future advances. Hence, this philosophical approach opposes to dogmatic philosophy. 

Supported by end-of-chapter summaries and a list of special symbols used, the material will be of interest for students and researchers in both science and philosophy. The second part will appeal to physicists and mathematicians.