Physical theory : method and interpretation /

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Bibliographic Details
Imprint:New York : Oxford University Press, [2014]
©2015
Description:1 online resource
Language:English
Subject:
Format: E-Resource Book
URL for this record:http://pi.lib.uchicago.edu/1001/cat/bib/12015616
Hidden Bibliographic Details
Other authors / contributors:Sklar, Lawrence, editor.
ISBN:9780199336029
0199336024
9780199396740
0199396744
9780195145649
Notes:Includes index.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Print version record.
Summary:This collection surveys two aspects of contemporary philosophy of science: the methods of physical science and crucial aspects of foundational theories of physics. Part 1 explores the methodological topics, scientific explanation, probabilistic explanation, laws of nature, interpretation of theories, the structure of physical theories, and evolution and revolution in scientific change. In part 2 the studies of foundational physics explore contemporary theories of space and time, quantum theories of fields, and statistical mechanics.
Other form:Print version: Physical theory 9780195145649
Description
Summary:In nine new essays, distinguished philosophers of science take on outstanding philosophical issues that arise in the exploration of the foundations of contemporary, especially physical scientific theories. In the first part of the book issues of scientific method are explored. What are we asking when we pose scientific "why?" questions? How does probability play a role in answering such questions? What are scientific laws of nature? How can we understand what abstract theories are telling us about the world? What is the structure of the theories we use to explain the observable phenomena? Finally, how do theories evolve over time and what consequence do such changes have for our intuition that science is seeking the truth? In the second part of the volume, foundational issues are explored in a number of crucial physical theories. What do our best available theories tell us about space and time? When we apply quantum theory to fields or other systems with infinite degrees of freedom, what new foundational puzzles appear and how might a theory of interpretation deal with them? Finally, what are the crucial foundational issues in statistical mechanics, where probabilities are applied to explain macroscopic thermal phenomena?
Item Description:Includes index.
Physical Description:1 online resource
Bibliography:Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN:9780199336029
0199336024
9780199396740
0199396744
9780195145649