Particle Metaphysics - A Critical Account Of Subatomic Reality

E-Book Overview

The tradition of the particle concept goes back to traditional metaphysicsand ancient philosophy. The idea that matter is made up of microscopicconstituent parts stems from ancient atomism. At the very beginnings ofmodern physics, it was taken up by Galileo, Descartes, and Newton. Newtonthought that there are atoms of matter and light, but with the methods ofNewtonian mechanics and optics they were beyond the reach of experiments.In the 19th century, the wave theory of light succeeded and electrodynamics,thermodynamics, statistical mechanics, and the kinetic theory of heat weredeveloped. Two hundred years after Newton’s Principia, the experimentersdiscovered cathode rays, X rays, and radioactivity, and began to investigatethe atomic and subatomic structure of matter. At the same time, however,the empiricist Ernst Mach still doubted the existence of the unobservablemicroscopic constituent parts of matter and asked for more natural ideasabout the structure of matter.

E-Book Content

the frontiers collection the frontiers collection Series Editors: A.C. Elitzur M.P. Silverman J. Tuszynski R. Vaas H.D. Zeh The books in this collection are devoted to challenging and open problems at the forefront of modern science, including related philosophical debates. In contrast to typical research monographs, however, they strive to present their topics in a manner accessible also to scientifically literate non-specialists wishing to gain insight into the deeper implications and fascinating questions involved. Taken as a whole, the series reflects the need for a fundamental and interdisciplinary approach to modern science. Furthermore, it is intended to encourage active scientists in all areas to ponder over important and perhaps controversial issues beyond their own speciality. Extending from quantum physics and relativity to entropy, consciousness and complex systems – the Frontiers Collection will inspire readers to push back the frontiers of their own knowledge. Information and Its Role in Nature By J. G. Roederer Relativity and the Nature of Spacetime By V. Petkov Quo Vadis Quantum Mechanics? Edited by A. C. Elitzur, S. Dolev, N. Kolenda Life – As a Matter of Fat The Emerging Science of Lipidomics By O. G. Mouritsen Quantum–Classical Analogies By D. Dragoman and M. Dragoman Knowledge and the World Challenges Beyond the Science Wars Edited by M. Carrier, J. Roggenhofer, G. Küppers, P. Blanchard Quantum–Classical Correspondence By A. O. Bolivar Mind, Matter and Quantum Mechanics By H. Stapp Quantum Mechanics and Gravity By M. Sachs Extreme Events in Nature and Society Edited by S. Albeverio, V. Jentsch, H. Kantz The Thermodynamic Machinery of Life By M. Kurzynski The Emerging Physics of Consciousness Edited by J. A. Tuszynski Weak Links Stabilizers of Complex Systems from Proteins to Social Networks By P. Csermely Mind, Matter and the Implicate Order By P.T.I. Pylkkänen Quantum Mechanics at the Crossroads New Perspectives from History, Philosophy and Physics By J.Evans, A.S.Thomdike Particle Metaphysics A Critical Account of Subatomic Reality By B.Falkenburg Brigitte Falkenburg PARTICLE METAPHYSICS A Critical Account of Subatomic Reality With 30 Figures 123 Professor Dr.Dr. Brigitte Falkenburg Universität Dortmund Institute of Philosophy Emil-Figge-Straße 50 44227 Dortmund e-mail: [email protected] Series Editors: Avshalom C. Elitzur Rüdiger Vaas Bar-Ilan University, Unit of Interdisciplinary Studies, 52900 Ramat-Gan, Israel email: [email protected]
You might also like

Biomechanics: Principles And Applications
Authors: Donald R. Peterson , Joseph D. Bronzino    191    0


Quantum Information Processing
Authors: Luecke W.    150    0


Topology And Geometry In Physics
Authors: E. Bick , F.D. Steffen (auth.) , Eike Bick , Frank Daniel Steffen (eds.)    191    0


Cellular Automata And Other Cellular Systems
Authors: Capcarrere M.    141    0


Poisson Structures And Their Normal Forms
Authors: Jean-Paul Dufour , Nguyen Tien Zung (auth.) , H. Bass , J. Oesterlé , A. Weinstein (eds.)    164    0


Notes On Classical Potential Theory
Authors: Papadimitrakis M.    117    0



Supersymmetry In Quantum And Classical Mechanics
Authors: Bijan Kumar Bagchi    113    0


Reviews In Modern Astronomy
Authors: Siegfried Röser    98    0


Advanced Astrophysics
Authors: Neb Duric    105    0