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  • © 2006

A New Foundation of Physical Theories

  • A revision and expansion of G. Ludwig's groundbreaking work on fundamental concepts of physical theories.

  • G. Ludwig's deep insights into the fundamental ideas behind physical ideas now in English.

  • Clarified and more precisely formulated.

  • Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

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Table of contents (9 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages I-XI
  2. A New Foundation of Physical Theories

    1. Reality

      • Günther Ludwig, Gérald Thurler
      Pages 11-16
    2. Building of a Mathematical Theory

      • Günther Ludwig, Gérald Thurler
      Pages 17-31
    3. From Reality to Mathematics

      • Günther Ludwig, Gérald Thurler
      Pages 33-61
    4. Species of Structures and Axiomatic Basis of a PT

      • Günther Ludwig, Gérald Thurler
      Pages 63-104
    5. Relations Between Various PTs

      • Günther Ludwig, Gérald Thurler
      Pages 105-120
    6. Real and Possible as Physical Concepts

      • Günther Ludwig, Gérald Thurler
      Pages 121-144
  3. Examples of Simple Theories

    1. A Description of the Surface of the Earth, or of a Round Table

      • Günther Ludwig, Gérald Thurler
      Pages 147-157
    2. A Simplified Example of Newton’s Mechanics

      • Günther Ludwig, Gérald Thurler
      Pages 159-165
    3. The Structure of the Human Species

      • Günther Ludwig, Gérald Thurler
      Pages 167-171
  4. Back Matter

    Pages 174-178

About this book

Written in the tradition of G. Ludwig’s groundbreaking works, this book aims to clarify and formulate more precisely the fundamental ideas of physical theories. By introducing a basic descriptive language of simple form, in which it is possible to formulate recorded facts, ambiguities of physical theories are avoided as much as possible. In this approach the field of physics that should be described by a theory is determined by basic concepts only, i.e. concepts that can be explained without a theory.

In this context the authors introduce a new concept of idealization and review the process of discovering new concepts. They believe that, when the theories are formulated within an axiomatic basis, solutions can be found to many difficult problems such as the interpretation of physical theories, the relations between theories as well as the introduction of physical concepts.

The book addresses both physicists and philosophers of science and should encourage the reader to contribute to the understanding of the lasting core of physical knowledge about the real structures of the world.

Authors and Affiliations

  • Genøve, Switzerland

    Gérald Thurler

Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: A New Foundation of Physical Theories

  • Authors: Günther Ludwig, Gérald Thurler

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-30833-4

  • Publisher: Springer Berlin, Heidelberg

  • eBook Packages: Physics and Astronomy, Physics and Astronomy (R0)

  • Copyright Information: Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2006

  • Hardcover ISBN: 978-3-540-30832-4Published: 13 June 2006

  • Softcover ISBN: 978-3-642-06807-2Published: 14 October 2010

  • eBook ISBN: 978-3-540-30833-1Published: 07 June 2007

  • Edition Number: 1

  • Number of Pages: XI, 178

  • Topics: Physics, general, Philosophy of Science

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 119.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 159.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 159.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access