ENGLISH

Symmetry, structure, and spacetime

By Dean Rickles (Eds.)

Book information

Publisher
Elsevier
Year
2008
ISBN
0444531165, 9780444531162, 9780080552064
Open Library ID
OL10260521M
Language
english
Format
PDF
Filesize
2 MB (1710407 bytes)
Series
Philosophy and foundations of physics 3
Edition
1st ed
Pages
i-xii, 1-229\243
Library
avaxhome.ws
Time added
2010-05-31 15:29:46

Description

In this book Rickles considers several interpretative difficulties raised by gauge-type symmetries (those that correspond to no change in physical state). The ubiquity of such symmetries in modern physics renders them an urgent topic in philosophy of physics. Rickles focuses on spacetime physics, and in particular classical and quantum general relativity. Here the problems posed are at their most pathological, involving the apparent disappearance of spacetime! Rickles argues that both traditional ontological positions should be replaced by a structuralist account according to which relational structure is what the physics is about. · Unified treatment of gauge symmetries and their relationship to ontology in physics · Brings philosophy of space and time into step with developments in modern physics · Argues against the received view on the implications of symmetries in physics · Provides elementary treatments of technical issues · Illustrates a novel defense of structuralism

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