Skip to main content Accessibility help
×
  1. Home
  2. Books
  3. Philosophical Concepts in Physics
  • Cited by 66
      • Show more authors
      • You may already have access via personal or institutional login
    • Select format
    • Publisher:
      Cambridge University Press
      Publication date:
      June 2012
      January 1998
      ISBN:
      9781139171106
      9780521578233
      DOI:
      https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139171106
      Dimensions:
      Weight & Pages:
      Dimensions:
      (247 x 174 mm)
      Weight & Pages:
      0.73kg, 448 Pages
      • Subjects:
      Physics and Astronomy, History, Philosophy and Foundations of Physics
    You may already have access via personal or institutional login
    • Selected: Digital
    Add to cart View cart Buy from Cambridge.org
    Subjects:
    Physics and Astronomy, History, Philosophy and Foundations of Physics
    Information

    Book description

    This book examines a selection of philosophical issues in the context of specific episodes in the development of physical theories. Advances in science are presented against the historical and philosophical backgrounds in which they occurred. A major aim is to impress upon the reader the essential role that philosophical considerations have played in the actual practice of science. The book begins with some necessary introduction to the history of ancient and early modern science, with major emphasis being given to the two great watersheds of twentieth-century physics: relativity and, especially, quantum mechanics. At times the term 'construction' may seem more appropriate than 'discovery' for the way theories have developed and, especially in the later chapters, the question of the influence of historical, philosophical and even social factors on the very form and content of scientific theories is discussed.

    Reviews

    ‘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 Source: 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 Source: 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 Source: Endeavour

    ‘Altogether, the book provides a good overview of the basis underlying 3000 years of physical knowledge …’.

    H Rechenberg Source: Institute of Physics Publishing

    Refine List

    Actions for selected content:

    Select all | Deselect all
    • View selected items
    • Export citations
    • Download PDF (zip)
    • Save to Kindle
    • Save to Dropbox
    • Save to Google Drive

    Save Search

    You can save your searches here and later view and run them again in "My saved searches".

    Please provide a title, maximum of 40 characters.
    Cancel
    ×

    Contents

    Page 2 of 2

    Contents

    Page 2 of 2

    Metrics

    Altmetric attention score

    Full text views

    Total number of HTML views: 0
    Total number of PDF views: 0 *
    Loading metrics...

    Book summary page views

    Total views: 0 *
    Loading metrics...

    * Views captured on Cambridge Core between #date#. This data will be updated every 24 hours.

    Usage data cannot currently be displayed.

    Accessibility standard: Unknown

    Why this information is here

    This section outlines the accessibility features of this content - including support for screen readers, full keyboard navigation and high-contrast display options. This may not be relevant for you.

    Accessibility Information

    Accessibility compliance for the PDF of this book is currently unknown and may be updated in the future.