Philosophy of physics : space and time / Tim Maudlin.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Maudlin, Tim, author.

Series:

Princeton foundations of contemporary philosophy.

Princeton foundations of contemporary philosophy

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Space and time.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (132 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Princeton, New Jersey : Princeton University Press, [2012]

Language Note:

English

Summary:

This concise book introduces nonphysicists to the core philosophical issues surrounding the nature and structure of space and time, and is also an ideal resource for physicists interested in the conceptual foundations of space-time theory. Tim Maudlin's broad historical overview examines Aristotelian and Newtonian accounts of space and time, and traces how Galileo's conceptions of relativity and space-time led to Einstein's special and general theories of relativity. Maudlin explains special relativity with enough detail to solve concrete physical problems while presenting general relativity in more qualitative terms. Additional topics include the Twins Paradox, the physical aspects of the Lorentz-FitzGerald contraction, the constancy of the speed of light, time travel, the direction of time, and more. Introduces nonphysicists to the philosophical foundations of space-time theory Provides a broad historical overview, from Aristotle to Einstein Explains special relativity geometrically, emphasizing the intrinsic structure of space-time Covers the Twins Paradox, Galilean relativity, time travel, and more Requires only basic algebra and no formal knowledge of physics

Contents:

Frontmatter

Contents

Acknowledgments

Introduction: The Aim and Structure of These Volumes

Chapter One. Classical Accounts of Space and Time

Chapter Two. Evidence for Spatial and Temporal Structure

Chapter Three. Eliminating Unobservable Structure

Chapter Four. Special Relativity

Chapter Five. The Physics of Measurement

Chapter Six. General Relativity

Chapter Seven. The Direction and Topology of Time

Appendix: Some Problems in Special Relativistic Physics

References

Index

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references (pages [177]-179) and index.

Description based on print version record.

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

ISBN:

9781400842339

1400842336

9781782689515

1782689516

OCLC:

953234347