
Foundations of Physics
Mario Bunge(Author)
Springer (Publisher)
Published on 18. April 2012
Book
Paperback/Softback
XII, 312 pages
978-3-642-49289-1 (ISBN)
Description
This is not an introduction to physics but an analysis of its founda tions. Indeed, the aims of this book are: (1) to analyze the form and content of some of the key ideas of physics; (2) to formulate several basic physical theories in an explicit and orderly (i. e. , axiomatic) fashion; (3) to exhibit their presuppositions and discuss some of their philosoph ical implications; (4) to discuss some of the controversial issues, and (5) to debunk certain dusty philosophical tenets that obscure the under standing of physics and hinder its progress. To the extent to which these goals are attained, the volume can serve as a companion to studies in theoretical physics aiming at deepening the understanding of the logical structure and the physical meaning of our science. In order to keep the book slender, whole fields of basic physical research had to be excluded - chiefly many-body physics, quantum field theories, and elementary particle theories. A large coverage was believed to be less important than a comparatively detailed analysis and reconstruction of three representative monuments: classical mechan ics, general relativity, and quantum mechanics, as well as their usually unrecognized presuppositions. The reader is invited to join the project and supply some of the many missing chapters - or to rewrite the present ones entirely.
More details
Series
Edition
Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 1967
Language
English
Place of publication
Berlin
Germany
Publishing group
Springer Berlin
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Research
Illustrations
XII, 312 p.
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 155 mm
Thickness: 18 mm
Weight
499 gr
ISBN-13
978-3-642-49289-1 (9783642492891)
DOI
10.1007/978-3-642-49287-7
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Mario Bunge
Foundations of Physics
Book
01/1967
Springer
€89.13
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Person
Mario Bunge is a renowned and celebrated academic and philosopher. He is originally from Argentina, but has been active in Canada since the mid 1960's. At 95 years of age, he has a PhD in physico-mathematical sciences,, sixteen honorary doctorates and four honorary professorships. His current researches revolves around philosophy of the social sciences, philosophy of mind, and metaphysics.
Content
Foundations Research.- 1. Object: Fundamental Theories.- 2. Aims: Analysis and Synthesis.- 3. Why Foundations ?.- 4. How FR ?.- 5. Present State of FR.- 6. Outlook.- 1 Toolbox.- 1. Form and Content.- 2. Predicates.- 3. Hypotheses.- 4. Theories.- 5. Theory Checking.- 2 Protophysics.- 1. Zerological Principles.- 2. Physical Probabilities.- 3. Chronology.- 4. Physical Geometry.- 5. General Systems Theory.- 6. Analytical "Dynamics".- 3 Classical Mechanics.- 1. Particle Mechanics.- 2. Continuum Mechanics.- 4 Classical Field Theories.- 1. Classical Electromagnetism.- 2. Special Relativity.- 3. General Relativity.- 5 Quantum Mechanics.- 1. Quantum Heuristics.- 2. Background and Building Blocks.- 3. Comprehensive Postulates.- 4. Comprehensive Theorems.- 5. Specific Postulates.- 6. Specific Theorems.- 7. Measurement Theory.- 8. Debated Questions.- Epilogue.