Bridging The Gap: Philosophy, Mathematics, And Physics: Lectures On The Foundations Of Science

E-Book Overview

Foundational questions in logic, mathematics, computer science and physics are constant sources of epistemological debate in contemporary philosophy. To what extent is the transfinite part of mathematics completely trustworthy? Why is there a general `malaise' concerning the logical approach to the foundations of mathematics? What is the role of symmetry in physics? Is it possible to build a coherent worldview compatible with a macroobjectivistic position and based on the quantum picture of the world? What account can be given of opinion change in the light of new evidence? These are some of the questions discussed in this volume, which collects 14 lectures on the foundation of science given at the School of Philosophy of Science, Trieste, October 1989. The volume will be of particular interest to any student or scholar engaged in interdisciplinary research into the foundations of science in the context of contemporary debates.

E-Book Content

PART I LOGIC, MATHEMATICS AND INFORMATION BRIDGING THE GAP: PHILOSOPHY, MATHEMATICS, AND PHYSICS BOSTON STUDIES IN THE PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE Editor ROBERT S. COHEN, Boston University Editorial Advisory Board THOMAS F. GLICK, Boston University ADOLF GRUNBAUM, University of Pittsburgh SAHOTRA SARKAR, Boston University SYLVAN S. SCHWEBER, Brandeis University JOHN J. STACHEL, Boston University MARX W. WARTOFSKY, Baruch College of the City University of New York VOLUME 140 BRIDGING THE GAP PHILOSOPHY, MATHEMATICS, AND PHYSICS Lectures on the Foundations of Science Edited by GIOVANNA CORSI Department of Philosophy. University of Florence. Italy MARIA LUISA DALLA CHIARA Department of Philosophy. University of Florence. Italy and GIAN CARLO GHIRARDI Department of Theoretical Physics. University of Trieste. Italy KLUWER ACADEMIC PUBLISHERS DORDRECHT / BOSTON / LONDON Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Bridging the gap: pn1losophy. mathematics. and physics: lectures on the foundations of sCience! edited by Giovanna Corsi. Maria LUisa Dalla Chiara. Gian Carlo Ghirardi. p. cm. -- (Boston studies in the philosophy of SClence ; v. 140) Includes bibliographical references. ISBN 0-7923-1761-0 (HB : aCid-free paper) 1. Science--Phi losophy. I. Corsi. Giovanna. II. Dalla Chiara. Marla Luisa. III. Ghirardl. G. C. IV. Series. 0175.87854 1992 501--oc2G 92-12617 ISBN 0-7923-1761-0 Published by Kluwer Academic Publishers, P.O. Box 17,3300 AA Dordrecht, The Netherlands. Kluwer Academic Publishers incorporates the publishing programmes of D. Reidel, Martinus Nijhoff, Dr W. Junk and MTP Press. Sold and distributed in the U.S.A. and Canada by Kluwer Academic Publishers, 101 Philip Drive, Norwell, MA 02061, U.S.A. In all other countries, sold and distributed by Kluwer Academic Publishers Group, P.O. Box 322, 3300 AH Dordrecht, The Netherlands. All Rights Reserved © 1993 Kluwer Academic Publishers No part of the material protected by this copyright notice may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the copyright owner. TABLE OF CONTENTS vii PREFACE xi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS PART I: LOGIC, MATHEMATICS AND INFORMATION CARLO CELLUCCI I Theory of Deduction FABIO BELLISSIMA I An Introduction to Modal Semantics EGON BORGER I Complexity of Logical Decision Problems: An Introduction DAG PRAWITZ I Remarks on Hilbert's Program for the Foundation of Mathematics SOLOMON FEFERMAN I Working Foundations - '91 K. TAlllR SHAH I Minds and Brains, Algorithms and Machines GIUSEPPE LONGO I Remarks on Information and Mind 3 39 71 87 99