Physics and Metaphysics: Theories of Space and TimeRoutledge, 01.09.2003 - 224 Seiten Jennifer Trusted's new book argues that metaphysical beliefs are essential for scientific inquiry. The theories, presuppositions and beliefs that neither science nor everyday experience can justify are the realm of metaphysics, literally `beyond physics'. These basic beliefs form a framework for our activities and can be discovered in science, common sense and religion. By examining the history of science from the eleventh century to the present, this book shows how religious and mystical beliefs, as well as philosophical speculation have had a considerable role in motivating scientists and inspiring scientific inquiry. Physics and Metaphysics presupposes no technical knowledge of either philosophy or science. It is an ideal introduction to science and the important forces that have shaped its history and ideas. |
Inhalt
1 | |
2 Old beliefs and new ideas | 16 |
3 Chaos | 35 |
4 The search for a new order | 60 |
5 The grand design | 80 |
6 The age of reason | 107 |
7 The age of experience | 127 |
energy and ether | 145 |
9 Revolution | 163 |
10 Physics and metaphysics | 179 |
Notes | 191 |
207 | |
Andere Ausgaben - Alle anzeigen
Häufige Begriffe und Wortgruppen
able accepted according appeal appreciated argued assumptions Bacon belief bodies called causal cause century Chapter Christian Church classical concept concerned considered Copernican Copernicus cosmos course critical depended Descartes developed direct divine earth effect Einstein empirical energy established ether example existence experience explanations fact followed force frame of reference fundamental Galileo give God's heat held human ibid ideas importance influence inquiry knowledge laws Leibniz light logical London mass material mathematical matter means measure mechanical medieval metaphysical mind motion moving natural philosophy nature Newton objects observation orbit particular perfect philosophy physical planets pointed position possible postulate principle problems properties qualities reality reason regarded relative religious remained rest scientific seen sense space spheres substance suggested theory things thought true truth ultimate understand universe waves weight writings