Physical Relativity: Space-time Structure from a Dynamical Perspective [Hardcover]

Harvey R. Brown (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0199275831 | ISBN-13: 978-0199275830 | Publication Date: February 2, 2006

It is not widely known that Einstein had doubts, increasing with time, about the way he formulated his special theory of relativity in 1905. Physical Relativity examines the grounds of these doubts and related misgivings on the part of a handful of physicists and philosophers in the course of the twentieth century. Harvey Brown defends an interpretation of relativity theory, and hence of the nature of space and time, that combines Einstein's insights with those of his immediate precursors, who today are widely regarded as having had the right ideas for the wrong reasons. Appearing in the centennial year of Einstein's celebrated paper on special relativity, Physical Relativity is an unusual, critical examination of Einstein's thinking that will be of great interest to philosophers of physics, physicists, and historians of science.

Editorial Reviews

Review

`'a compact, deftly woven mixture of history and philosophy of physics. . . . Both historians and philosophers of physics (and physicists) will find much that is of interest in this book. I seriously recommend that anyone interested in the philosophical foundations of spacetime theories, and physics in general, add it to their collections: it is certainly a 'must-have' for philosophers of physics.' ' ean Rickles, Mind

`'a provocative and challenging book . . . It expertly synthesizes several analyses and generalizations of the Lorentz transformations. The historical sections are rich, concise and absorbing. Moreover, it includes worthwhile appendices on general covariance and on the relation between special relativity and quantum theory. The lively argumentation throughout thoroughly engages developments from decades of works in philosophy of space and time, and it deserves careful attention.' ' Alberto A. Martinez, Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics

`'inspiring and thought-provoking content . . . an absolute must for physicists and philosophers' ' Mauro Dorato, International Studies in the Philosophy of Science

`'immensely stimulating' ' Thomas Rickman, Metascience

About the Author

Harvey R. Brown is at University of Oxford.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (February 2, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0199275831
• ISBN-13: 978-0199275830
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #826,492 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars relativity from a master, April 13, 2010

By 

G. E. Stedman "g e stedman" (christchurch new zealand) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Physical Relativity: Space-Time Structure from a Dynamical Perspective (Paperback)

This is masterly review of physical relativity from Harvey Brown has worked more than anyone on alternative Lorentz transformations for example and the precise assumptions underlying them, an immense amount of experience underlies such parts of this book, and an immenses ammount of thorough historical research. I would have been delighted if Harvey had said more about some things, e.g. the present fashion to avoid or deny the change of mass with speed; a subject strangely ignored. e.g. the definitions of and behaviour of standard lengths in general relativity. but perhaps a similarly definitive account of such are works in progress, I sincerely hope so.
G E STEDMAN
'An orthodox understanding of the Bible with Physical science'

5 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars mediocre, February 3, 2008

By 

parmenides - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

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This review is from: Physical Relativity: Space-Time Structure from a Dynamical Perspective (Paperback)

The author of Physical Relativity offers a historical and critical discussion of the special and general relativity ideas. Although one
appreciates his insight, the book in the end fails to impress.

In particular, the book is useless to those who do not know relativity theory since a clear and direct discussion of relativity is nowhere to be found.

The book disappoints even experts in Relativity since one has to read in between the lines in order to understand what is the author's point of view throughout his essay. A point of view very rarely expressed in a concise and direct manner.

In the end, it appears that the author does not consider that Relativity theories refer to an ontologically independent physical agent of spacetime geometry.
Instead, he thinks that spacetime geometry is an artifact of
macroscopic dynamical effects of more fundamental quantum theories of
basic interactions in physics like quantum gravity and quantum electrodynamics.

Although an expert in relativity could find such a point of view worth thinking about, for the majority of readers, the book would look too cryptic in order to be enjoyable.