Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Physics Bulletin

Philosophical Problems of Modern Physics (revised translation from the 4th German edn)

MARY B. HESSE

Published Jul 1, 1976• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Peter Mittelstaedt Dordrecht-Holland D Reidel 1976 pp x + 211 price Dfl 50, $18.50 ( cased ), Dfl 33, $11 ( paperback ) The book originated in lectures first published in Germany in 1963, now translated in an expanded English version. The author takes a broadly Kantian point of view in analysing the conceptual structures presupposed by physics, and covers problems of space, time, and geometry in relation to relativity theory, and measurement, substance, causality and quantum logic in relation to quantum theory.

DOI
10.1088/0031-9112/27/7/034

Related papers

Physics and Philosophy: Selected Essays

Christopher John Isham

Henry Margenau 1978 Dordrecht, Holland: D Reidel xxxvii + 399 pp price $36.50 Such is the pace of research in modern theoretical physics that the majority of workers rarely, if ever, stop and contemplate the philosophical and conceptual implications of their endeavours. Nevertheless, even the most pragmatic of physicists should find something of interest in this delightful book.

Physics Bulletin•Nov 1, 1979•4 citations

Logical and Epistemological Studies in Contemporary Physics

David L Hurd

Robert S Cohen and M W Wartofsky (eds) Dordrecht: D Reidel 1974 pp viii + 462 price Dfl 55 The contributions collected in this volume cover a varied range of topics from the philosophy of science, but special attention is given to foundational issues in quantum mechanics. In this latter field, particularly valuable are the several discussions which attempt to place in perspective those recent formal investigations which centre around the elaboration of some version of the idea of a 'quantum logic'.

Physics Bulletin•Oct 1, 1974•6 citations

Contemporary Research in the Foundations and Philosophy of Quantum Theory

P. W. Atkins

C A Hooker (ed) Dordrecht: Reidel 1973 pp x + 385 price Dfl 105 (cased) Dfl 56 (paperback) Why do people trouble themselves with the philosophy of the quantum theory? I find it exceedingly difficult to judge whether the exercise is intended to do more than sharpen our appreciation of its content: one feels that the operators in this domain are also hoping to improve the physical content of the theory.

Physics Bulletin•Sep 1, 1974•10 citations

The Quantum Principle

Maurice Ebison

Jagdish Mehra Dordrecht, Holland: D Reidel 1974 pp xii + 132 price Dfl 44, $16.50 For rather more than a decade there has been a welcome revival of interest in the philosophy of science. A good deal of this interest has centred upon discussions of the historical development of scientific theories and in particular of the quantum theory.

Physics Bulletin•Jan 1, 1976•0 citations

From Physics to Philosophy

Stig Stenholm

The relation between Physics and Philosophy brings to mind the proverbial marriage of high drama; the parties do not approve of each other, but separated they cannot live. Philosophers find physicists shallow, and many physicists claim that they find philosophic speculations useless or worse. Mostly both display a lack of knowledge and understanding of the methods and goals of the other. A few researchers have tried to bridge this gap and explore the worlds of both parties. Michael Redhead has worked in this borderland, and when he retired from his chair in Cambridge, a symposium was arranged to honour him. The talks presented on this occasion are now published in a volume presenting much food for thought to both philosophers and physicists. The essays in this publication do not offer easy reading; not too many readers will have the preparation to penetrate the technical arguments offered. The authors are well acquainted with both philosophical argumentation and mathematical formalism, and, following the lead of Professor Redhead, they combine these in intricate and suggestive ways. Only a close reading can offer understanding of the points of view taken by the various authors. Browsing and mere reading defines the scenery, exploring it demands much more. Many of the nine essays included investigate the meaning of terms used loosely in physics contexts: locality, beables, symmetries and time in relativity. All essays utilize the mathematical structures of physics, but the approach is mainly philosophical; concepts like reality and metaphysics are applied. Some writings are more physical in their treatment of technical questions relating to modern quantum theory. Bohmian mechanics, localized quantum states and gauge symmetries are discussed in detail. It is, however, found that these present interpretational problems that are usually glossed over in purely physical treatments. For an old sceptic like myself, it is quite refreshing to find that many assertions, taken for granted in our textbooks, are indeed doubtful and offer conceptual or technical difficulties. This insight is what a philosophical analysis can offer the working physicist; future progress may well arise from such realizations. However, the results offered by philosophical analysis are usually found unsatisfactory; the hope that philosophy can suggest novel directions for the theory remains unfounded. Philosophers can learn that modern physics rests on a very shaky conceptual foundation. The theory has evolved by a combination of serendipity and opportunism. The beast that finally has emerged is neither well founded nor internally consistent. Its only merit is that it works. That offers the ultimate philosophical problem of modern physics. If the present book can help the philosopher to behold this challenging but overwhelming wilderness, then it serves a useful purpose indeed. But the prospective researcher has to learn to master the difficult language used by the natives, who are not always friendly. I enjoyed reading the book immensely, but the technical difficulty of the text made my understanding remain mostly superficial. I hope to have the time to return some of the essays, and look into the references and issues involved. The work is genuinely what it promises: a guide From Physics to Philosophy .

European Journal of Physics•Mar 1, 2000•0 citations

Philosophic Foundations of Quantum Mechanics

S. Körner

Hans Reichenbach University of California Press (agents; London: Cambridge University Press) . 1965. Pp. x + 182. Price 12s. 6d. This is a welcome paperback edition of a book which originally appeared in 1944. Its aim is to analyse the new concepts and methods of physical reasoning which have been introduced into atomic physics as the result mainly of Schrodinger's proof of the physical equivalence of wave and quantum mechanics, of Born's probability interpretation of the wave equation, of Heisenberg's interpretationof the principle of indeterminacy and of Bohr's principle of complementarity.

Physics Bulletin•Jan 1, 1966•32 citations
Peter Mittelstaedt Dordrecht-Holland D Reidel 1976 pp x + 211 price Dfl 50, 18.50(cased),Dfl33,18.50 ( cased ), Dfl 33, 18.50(cased),Dfl33,11 ( paperback ) The book originated in lectures first published in Germany in 1963, now translated in an expanded English version. The author takes a broadly Kantian point of view in analysing the conceptual structures presupposed by physics, and covers problems of space, time, and geometry in relation to relativity theory, and measurement, substance, causality and quantum logic in relation to quantum theory.
Robert S Cohen and M W Wartofsky (eds) Dordrecht: D Reidel 1974 pp viii + 462 price Dfl 55 The contributions collected in this volume cover a varied range of topics from the philosophy of science, but special attention is given to foundational issues in quantum mechanics. In this latter field, particularly valuable are the several discussions which attempt to place in perspective those recent formal investigations which centre around the elaboration of some version of the idea of a 'quantum logic'.
The relation between Physics and Philosophy brings to mind the proverbial marriage of high drama; the parties do not approve of each other, but separated they cannot live. Philosophers find physicists shallow, and many physicists claim that they find philosophic speculations useless or worse. Mostly both display a lack of knowledge and understanding of the methods and goals of the other. A few researchers have tried to bridge this gap and explore the worlds of both parties. Michael Redhead has worked in this borderland, and when he retired from his chair in Cambridge, a symposium was arranged to honour him. The talks presented on this occasion are now published in a volume presenting much food for thought to both philosophers and physicists. The essays in this publication do not offer easy reading; not too many readers will have the preparation to penetrate the technical arguments offered. The authors are well acquainted with both philosophical argumentation and mathematical formalism, and, following the lead of Professor Redhead, they combine these in intricate and suggestive ways. Only a close reading can offer understanding of the points of view taken by the various authors. Browsing and mere reading defines the scenery, exploring it demands much more. Many of the nine essays included investigate the meaning of terms used loosely in physics contexts: locality, beables, symmetries and time in relativity. All essays utilize the mathematical structures of physics, but the approach is mainly philosophical; concepts like reality and metaphysics are applied. Some writings are more physical in their treatment of technical questions relating to modern quantum theory. Bohmian mechanics, localized quantum states and gauge symmetries are discussed in detail. It is, however, found that these present interpretational problems that are usually glossed over in purely physical treatments. For an old sceptic like myself, it is quite refreshing to find that many assertions, taken for granted in our textbooks, are indeed doubtful and offer conceptual or technical difficulties. This insight is what a philosophical analysis can offer the working physicist; future progress may well arise from such realizations. However, the results offered by philosophical analysis are usually found unsatisfactory; the hope that philosophy can suggest novel directions for the theory remains unfounded. Philosophers can learn that modern physics rests on a very shaky conceptual foundation. The theory has evolved by a combination of serendipity and opportunism. The beast that finally has emerged is neither well founded nor internally consistent. Its only merit is that it works. That offers the ultimate philosophical problem of modern physics. If the present book can help the philosopher to behold this challenging but overwhelming wilderness, then it serves a useful purpose indeed. But the prospective researcher has to learn to master the difficult language used by the natives, who are not always friendly. I enjoyed reading the book immensely, but the technical difficulty of the text made my understanding remain mostly superficial. I hope to have the time to return some of the essays, and look into the references and issues involved. The work is genuinely what it promises: a guide From Physics to Philosophy .
Hans Reichenbach University of California Press (agents; London: Cambridge University Press) . 1965. Pp. x + 182. Price 12s. 6d. This is a welcome paperback edition of a book which originally appeared in 1944. Its aim is to analyse the new concepts and methods of physical reasoning which have been introduced into atomic physics as the result mainly of Schrodinger's proof of the physical equivalence of wave and quantum mechanics, of Born's probability interpretation of the wave equation, of Heisenberg's interpretationof the principle of indeterminacy and of Bohr's principle of complementarity.