Appearance and reality : an introduction to the philosophy of physics /

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Bibliographic Details
Author / Creator:Kosso, Peter.
Imprint:New York : Oxford University Press, 1998.
Description:x, 196 p. : ill. ; 25 cm.
Language:English
Subject:
Format: Print Book
URL for this record:http://pi.lib.uchicago.edu/1001/cat/bib/2767134
Hidden Bibliographic Details
ISBN:0195115147 (cloth : alk. paper)
0195115155 (pbk. : alk. paper)
Notes:Includes bibliographical references (p. [187]-191) and index.
Table of Contents:
  • Preface
  • Introduction
  • 1. Physics and Philosophy
  • Why This Will Require Both Physics and Philosophy
  • Standards of Proof
  • From Physics to Philosophy
  • Useful Philosophical Concepts
  • Philosophical Issues
  • Philosophical Evidence
  • 2. Appearance and Reality
  • Scientific Observation
  • The Conceptual Influence
  • The Physical Influence
  • Nature as It Is
  • Philosophical Arguments about Realism
  • Return to Bohr
  • 3. The Special Theory of Relativity
  • The Principle of Relativity
  • Space and Time
  • Relative and Absolute Properties
  • The Foundations of the Special Theory of Relativity
  • Consequences of the Absolute Speed of Light
  • The Relativity of Simultaneity
  • Time Dilation
  • Length Contraction
  • Mitch's Paradox
  • Nothing Can Go Faster Than the Speed of Light
  • Summary of the Special Theory of Relativity
  • 4. The General Theory of Relativity
  • General Covariance and the Principle of Equivalence
  • Consequences of General Covariance and the Principle of Equivalence
  • The Bending of Light
  • Gravitational Red-shift (Time Dilation)
  • The Curvature of Spacetime
  • Mach's Principle
  • Summary of the General Theory of Relativity
  • 5. Relativity and Realism
  • Two Separate Questions
  • The Way Nature Is
  • How Do We Know the Theory is True?
  • Summary
  • 6. Quantum Mechanics
  • Probability, Cause and Effect, and Determinism
  • Particles and Waves
  • The State Function, Complementarity, and the Uncertainty Principle
  • Spin and the EPR Experiment
  • Bell's Proof
  • Summary of Quantum Mechanics
  • 7. Quantum Mechanics and Realism
  • What to Make of Bell's Proof
  • The Quantum/Classical Distinction
  • The Copenhagen Interpretation
  • The Measurement Problem
  • Alternative Interpretations of Quantum Mechanics
  • The Many-words Interpretation
  • The Consciousness Interpretation
  • It's All Quantum Mechanics
  • Bohm's Theory
  • Summary
  • 8. Realistic Realm
  • Two Kinds of Questions: Metaphysics and Epistemology
  • The Metaphysical Issue
  • The Epistemological Issue
  • It's Not the End of the World
  • References and Suggested Reading
  • Philosophical Background
  • Relativity
  • Quantum Mechanics
  • Historical and Biographical Accounts
  • Primary Sources