This book examines a selection of philosophical issues in the context of specific episodes in the development of physical theories and presents scientific advances within their historical and philosophical contexts. Philosophical considerations have played an essential and ineliminable role in the actual practice of science. The book begins with some necessary introduction to the history of ancient and early modern science, but emphasizes the two great watersheds of twentieth-century physics: relativity and quantum mechanics. At times the term "construction" may seem more appropriate than "discovery" for the way theories have developed and, especially in later chapters, the discussion focuses on the influence of historical, philosophical and even social factors on the form and content of scientific theories.
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Editorial Reviews
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'For anyone who really wants to understand physics, this is a splendid and beautifully written book ... this book is an excellent introduction to a historically based philosophy of science, with accurate reporting of many examples from physics, and much attention to primary sources. I would recommend it strongly as an adjunct to standard textbooks of physics for students who seek a real understanding of their subject.' Michael Redhead, Physics World
'... I think that Cushing has done an excellent job. If I again teach a course similar to his I will certainly consider using his book as a text ...'. Anthony Leggett, The Times Higher Education Supplement
'As a chronological text in the history and philosophy of science for undergraduate students of the physical sciences, this book is unexcelled.' J. Leplin, Endeavour
'Altogether, the book provides a good overview of the basis underlying 3000 years of physical knowledge ...'. H Rechenberg, Institute of Physics Publishing
'... I think that Cushing has done an excellent job. If I again teach a course similar to his I will certainly consider using his book as a text ...'. Anthony Leggett, The Times Higher Education Supplement
'As a chronological text in the history and philosophy of science for undergraduate students of the physical sciences, this book is unexcelled.' J. Leplin, Endeavour
'Altogether, the book provides a good overview of the basis underlying 3000 years of physical knowledge ...'. H Rechenberg, Institute of Physics Publishing
Book Description
Scientific knowledge, because of its putative certainty and objective method of discovery, is often seen as essentially different from other types of knowledge. As popularly understood, physics and philosophy might seem to be far removed from one another. However, this book demonstrates the essential and ineliminable role that philosophical considerations play in the construction of scientific knowledge. The discussion of central philosophical issues is anchored in the specific historical context and in the actual content of the relevant scientific advances.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
More like History of Physics,
By
This review is from: Philosophical Concepts in Physics: The Historical Relation between Philosophy and Scientific Theories (Paperback)
My be I was expecting more from the book based on the title of the book but after all I was satisfied. Author provides a good history of Physics from Greeks to Quantum Theory. In Quantum theory you feel some Philosophical discussions but otherwise it is a science book and a good one with formulas, schematics like a text book. What I liked most was the excerpts from the original writings as the author was making his point. Paragraph from Newton's, Kepler's , Maxwell's, Bohr's, Bell's writings, all those fellows. It is serious book and requires serious reading. Also there is good references for further readings.
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
good historical overview,
This review is from: Philosophical Concepts in Physics: The Historical Relation between Philosophy and Scientific Theories (Paperback)
This book summarizes the history of scientific developments from antiquity to quantum physics. No prior knowledge of science or philosophy is assumed, except the general high school education. The author is a physicist interested in philosophy, but the philosophical dimension of the book is much less obvious than the scientific-historical aspect. It is a clear and nice read, but it is physics rather than philosophy.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Lots of Physics...No Philosophy,
This review is from: Philosophical Concepts in Physics: The Historical Relation between Philosophy and Scientific Theories (Paperback)
This work reads more like a general overview of the history of ideas regarding the physical universe rather than a philosophical treatment of the ideas behind physics. The book merely presents in a linear fashion the major ideas that revolutionized our views of the physical world but goes no further than presenting the theories as matter of fact. There are no discussions into the interplay between the philosophy of ideas and the actual modeling of the physical world using the scientific method. It reads similar to Stephen Hawking's "On The Shoulders of Giants"(a much more interesting work).
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Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
Since we hope to learn something about science and its operation and since science concerns itself with a certain type of knowledge and its attainment, let us begin with a brief consideration of how we arrive at knowledge. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
fixed force center, successful scientific theories, standard quantum mechanics, condenser plates, philosophical predilections, quantum potential, recessional velocity, electromagnetic mass, contraction hypothesis, form invariance, simultaneous reality, allowed orbits Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Nobel Prize, Albert Einstein, Grand Duchess, Isaac Newton, Francis Bacon, James Cushing, Middle Ages, The New Organon, Solvay Congress, Trinity College, United States, Galileo Galilei, Philipp Frank, The Assayer, University of Pisa, Alpha Centauri, David Bohm, Gulf of Tonkin, John Bell, Niels Bohr, Rules of Reasoning, William Herschel, World War, Benatek Castle, Bertrand Russell New!
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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Since we hope to learn something about science and its operation and since science concerns itself with a certain type of knowledge and its attainment, let us begin with a brief consideration of how we arrive at knowledge. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
fixed force center, successful scientific theories, standard quantum mechanics, condenser plates, philosophical predilections, quantum potential, recessional velocity, electromagnetic mass, contraction hypothesis, form invariance, simultaneous reality, allowed orbits Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Nobel Prize, Albert Einstein, Grand Duchess, Isaac Newton, Francis Bacon, James Cushing, Middle Ages, The New Organon, Solvay Congress, Trinity College, United States, Galileo Galilei, Philipp Frank, The Assayer, University of Pisa, Alpha Centauri, David Bohm, Gulf of Tonkin, John Bell, Niels Bohr, Rules of Reasoning, William Herschel, World War, Benatek Castle, Bertrand Russell New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 100
books:
See all 100 books this book cites
4
books
cite this book:
- The Theory of Relativity: & Other Essays by Albert Einstein on 6 pages
- Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems: Ptolemaic and Copernican by Galileo Galilei on 5 pages
- Aristotle: On the Heavens (Loeb Classical Library No. 338) by Aristotle on 5 pages
- The Copernican Revolution: Planetary Astronomy in the Development of Western Thought by Thomas S. Kuhn on page 58, page 73, and Back Matter
- Harmonies of the World (On the Shoulders of Giants, Book 5) by Johannes Kepler on page 66, page 70, and Back Matter
See all 100 books this book cites
- Worldviews: An Introduction to the History and Philosophy of Science by Richard DeWitt in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- Science and Grace: God's Reign in the Natural Sciences by Tim Morris in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- Divine Action in the Framework of Scientific Thinking: From Quantum Theory to Divine Action by Christoph Lameter in Front Matter, and Back Matter
- Physics, the Human Adventure: From Copernicus to Einstein and Beyond by Gerald Holton on page 404, and Back Matter
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