Discrete or Continuous?

Erscheinungsjahr 2015
ISBN: 978-1-107-63369-8
Verlag: Cambridge University Press

Buch, Englisch, 280 Seiten, Format (B × H): 170 mm x 244 mm, Gewicht: 488 g

The idea of infinity plays a crucial role in our understanding of the universe, with the infinite spacetime continuum perhaps the best-known example - but is spacetime really continuous? Throughout the history of science, many have felt that the continuum model is an unphysical idealization, and that spacetime should be thought of as 'quantized' at the smallest of scales. Combining novel conceptual analysis, a fresh historical perspective, and concrete physical examples, this unique book tells the story of the search for the fundamental unit of length in modern physics, from early classical electrodynamics to current approaches to quantum gravity. Novel philosophical theses, with direct implications for theoretical physics research, are presented and defended in an accessible format that avoids complex mathematics. Blending history, philosophy, and theoretical physics, this refreshing outlook on the nature of spacetime sheds light on one of the most thought-provoking topics in modern physics.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Hagar, Amit

Fachgebiete

• Naturwissenschaften Physik Physik Allgemein Theoretische Physik, Mathematische Physik, Computerphysik

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1. Introduction; 2. Arguments from mathematics; 3. Arguments from philosophy; 4. Electrodynamics, QED, and early QFT; 5. Quantum gravity: prehistory; 6. Einstein on the notion of length; 7. Quantum gravity: current approaches; 8. The proof is in the pudding; 9. Coda.

Über Autor(innen)

Hagar, Amit
Amit Hagar is an Associate Professor in the Department of History and Philosophy of Science, Indiana University, Bloomington, where he specializes in the foundations of modern physics.