Philosophy of Physics

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-ix

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2. Philosophy: Beacon or Trap

   • Mario Bunge

   Pages 1-15

3. Foundations: Clarity and Order

   • Mario Bunge

   Pages 16-27

4. Physical Theory: Overview

   • Mario Bunge

   Pages 28-47

5. The Referents of a Physical Theory

   • Mario Bunge

   Pages 48-86

6. Quantum Mechanics in Search of its Referent

   • Mario Bunge

   Pages 87-105

7. Analogy and Complementarity

   • Mario Bunge

   Pages 106-126

8. The Axiomatic Format

   • Mario Bunge

   Pages 127-150

9. Examples and Advantages of Axiomatics

   • Mario Bunge

   Pages 151-178

10. The Network of Theories

    • Mario Bunge

    Pages 179-209

11. The Theory/Experiment Interface

    • Mario Bunge

    Pages 210-237

12. Back Matter

    Pages 238-251

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This book deals with some of the current issues in the philosophy, methodology and foundations of physics. Some such problems are: - Do mathematical formalisms interpret themselves or is it necessary to adjoin them interpretation assumptions, and if so how are these as­ sumptions to be framed? - What are physical theories about: physical systems or laboratory operations or both or neither? - How are the basic concepts of a theory to be introduced: by ref­ erence to measurements or by explicit definition or axiomatically? - What is the use ofaxiomatics in physics? - How are the various physical theories inter-related: like Chinese boxes or in more complex ways? - What is the role of analogy in the construction and in the inter­ pretation of physical theories? In particular, are classical analogues like those of particle and wave indispensable in quantum theories? - What is the role of the apparatus in quantum phenomena and what is the place of measurement theory in quantum mechanics? - How does a theory face experiment: single-handed or with the help of further theories? These and several other questions of the kind are met with by the research physicist, the physics teacher and the physics student in their everyday work. If dodged they will recur. And a wrong answer to them may obscure the understanding of what has been achieved and may even hamper further advancement. Philosophy, methodology and foundations, like rose bushes, are enjoyable when cultivated but become ugly and thorny when neglected.

• philosophy of physics
• physical theory
• physics
• quantum mechanics

• Foundations and Philosophy of Science Unit, McGill University, Montreal, Canada

  Mario Bunge

Policies and ethics