Symmetries in Physics

Philosophical Reflections

By: Katherine Brading (Editor), Elena Castellani (Editor)

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Hardcover | 19 December 2003

At a Glance

Hardcover
458 Pages

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24.41 x 16.99 x 2.54

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Symmetry considerations dominate modern fundamental physics, both in quantum theory and in relativity. This book brings together current philosophical discussions of symmetry in physics, highlighting the main issues and controversies, and providing an entry into the subject for both physicists and philosophers. It covers topical issues such as the significance of gauge symmetry, particle identity in quantum theory, how to make sense of parity violation, the role of symmetry-breaking, the empirical status of symmetry principles, and so forth, along with more traditional problems in the philosophy of science. These include the status of the laws of nature, the relationships between mathematics, physical theory, and the world, and the extent to which mathematics dictates physics. A valuable reference for students and researchers, it will also be of interest to those studying the foundations of physics, philosophy of physics and philosophy of science.

Industry Reviews

'The authors represent an impressive array of prominent names in the philosophy of physics at the start of the 21st century. This work deserves to be in the libraries of all institutions of higher learning that offer graduate level courses in physics or philosophy, and on the shelves of all researchers on the philosophy of physics. Careful and thoughtful editing has resulted in an attractive format, free of the typographical errors and other infelicities that currently so often mar books of this type. Good bibliographies and a detailed and competent index further extend its usefulness.' Metascience '... will be useful not only as a reference work for researchers, but also as a valuable resource for a graduate course in the foundations and philosophy of modern physics.' Contemporary Physics 'This expert collection of articles on many aspects of symmetries in physics is much needed and long overdue. I found the collection timely, informative and stimulating. Many of the contributions are deft and elegant in technical treatment and clear and thoughtful in philosophical analysis. I recommend this volume to anyone who is seriously interested in philosophical issues on symmetries in physics.' International Studies in the Philosophy of Science 'I can warmly recommend this excellent collection for which the editors have assembled an impressive all-star crew of contributors. Congratulations for a job well done!' Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics

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You Can Find This Book In

Non-Fiction Science Physics Nuclear Physics Quantum Physics & Quantum Mechanics & Quantum Field Theory Science in General Philosophy of Science Relativity Physics History of Science

Preface
Copyright acknowledgements
List of contributors
Introduction
Continuous Symmetries
Classic texts: extracts from Weyl and Wigner
Review paper: On the significance of continuous symmetry to the foundations of physics
The philosophical roots of the gauge principle: Weyl and transcendental phenomenological idealism
Symmetries and Noether's theorems
General covariance, gauge theories, and the Kretschmann objection
The interpretation of gauge symmetry
Tracking down gauge: an ode to the constrained Hamiltonian formalism
Time-dependent symmetries: the link between gauge symmetries and indeterminism
A fourth way to the Aharanov-Bohm effect
Discrete Symmetries
Classic texts: extracts from Lebniz
Review paper: Understanding permutation symmetry
Quarticles and the identity of discernibles
Review paper: Handedness, parity violation, and the reality of space
Mirror symmetry: what is it for a relational space to be orientable?
Physics and Leibniz's principles
Symmetry Breaking: 17: Classic texts: extracts from Curie and Weyl
Extract from G. Jona-Lasinio: Cross-fertilization in theoretical physics: the case of condensed matter and particle physics
Review paper: On the meaning of symmetry breaking
Rough guide to spontaneous symmetry breaking
Spontaneous symmetry breaking: theoretical arguments and philosophical problems
General Interpretative Issues
Classic texts: extracts from Wigner
Symmetry as a guide to superfluous theoretical structure
Notes on symmetries
Symmetry, objectivity, and design
Symmetry and equivalence
Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.

Symmetries in Physics

Philosophical Reflections

At a Glance

Hardcover

Industry Reviews

Shipping

How to return your order

Defective items

You Can Find This Book In

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