String theory and the scientific method / Richard Dawid, University of Vienna.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Dawid, Richard, 1966- author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

String models.

Science--Methodology.

Science.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (x, 202 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

Edition:

1st ed.

Other Title:

String Theory & the Scientific Method

Place of Publication:

Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 2013.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

String theory has played a highly influential role in theoretical physics for nearly three decades and has substantially altered our view of the elementary building principles of the Universe. However, the theory remains empirically unconfirmed, and is expected to remain so for the foreseeable future. So why do string theorists have such a strong belief in their theory? This book explores this question, offering a novel insight into the nature of theory assessment itself. Dawid approaches the topic from a unique position, having extensive experience in both philosophy and high-energy physics. He argues that string theory is just the most conspicuous example of a number of theories in high-energy physics where non-empirical theory assessment has an important part to play. Aimed at physicists and philosophers of science, the book does not use mathematical formalism and explains most technical terms.

Contents:

String theory

The conceptual framework

The assessment of scientific underdetermination in string theory

The dynamics of high energy physics

Scientific underdetermination in physics and beyond

Final theory claims

An altered perspective on scientific realism.

Notes:

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 05 Oct 2015).

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

1-139-88957-5

1-107-06532-1

1-107-05689-6

1-107-05474-5

1-107-05802-3

1-107-05929-1

1-139-34251-7

1-107-05578-4

OCLC:

842919745