How the Laws of Physics Lie - Couverture souple

Cartwright, Nancy

Couverture souple

ISBN 10 : 0198247044 ISBN 13 : 9780198247043

Editeur : Oxford University Press, USA, 1983

Synopsis

In this sequence of philosophical essays about natural science, the author argues that fundamental explanatory laws, the deepest and most admired successes of modern physics, do not in fact describe regularities that exist in nature. Cartwright draws from many real-life examples to propound a novel distinction: that theoretical entities, and the complex and localized laws that describe them, can be interpreted realistically, but the simple unifying laws of basic theory cannot.

A propos du livre

Présentation de l'éditeur

In this sequence of philosophical essays about natural science, Nancy Cartwright argues that fundamental explanatory laws, the deepest and most admired successes of modern physics, do not in fact describe the regularities that exist in nature. Yet she is not `anti-realist'. Rather, she draws a novel distinction, arguing that theoretical entities, and the complex and localized laws that describe them, can be interpreted realistically, but that the simple unifying laws of basic theory cannot.

Revue de presse

The issues raised are very important and highly controversial ... I believe the book to be of importance in inviting philosophers to take a new look at the way physics is actually done, and what their reaction to that practice might be. (M. L. G. Redhead, Philosophical Quarterly)

a significant addition to the literature (W. H. Newton-Smith, Times Literary Supplement)

Détails de l'édition

• Éditeur: Oxford University Press, USA
• Date d'édition: 1983
• ISBN 10: 0198247044
• ISBN 13: 9780198247043
• Reliure: Broché
• Langue: anglais
• Nombre de pages: 232
• Coordonnées du fabricant: non disponible