Philosophy, Mathematics and Modern Physics

1. Front Matter

   Pages I-VIII

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2. Introduction

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1

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   2. On the Dialogue Between Physics and Philosophy

      • Enno Rudolph, Ion-Olimpiu Stamatescu

      Pages 2-17

   3. Questions Concerning Theory and Experience and the Role of Mathematics in Physical Science

      • Ion-Olimpiu Stamatescu, Heinz Wismann

      Pages 18-31

3. Space and Time, Cosmology and Quantum Theory

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 33-33

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   2. Is Conscious Awareness Consistent with Space-Time Descriptions?

      • Roger Penrose

      Pages 34-47

   3. Space and Time: A Privileged Ground for Misunderstandings Between Physics and Philosophy

      • François Lurçat

      Pages 48-66

   4. On Renormalization in Quantum Field Theory and the Structure of Space-Time

      • Ion-Olimpiu Stamatescu

      Pages 67-91

   5. Quantum Theory — a Window to the World Beyond Physics

      • Euan J. Squires

      Pages 92-103

   6. Quantum Cosmology and the Emergence of a Classical World

      • Claus Kiefer

      Pages 104-119

   7. On the Origin of Structure in the Universe

      • Julian B. Barbour

      Pages 120-131

   8. Galaxy Creation in a Non-Big-Bang Universe

      • Halton Arp

      Pages 132-143

   9. What Kind of Science is Cosmology?

      • Hubert F. M. Goenner

      Pages 144-167

4. Philosophical Concepts and the Mathematics of Physics

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 169-169

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   2. On the Assumption That Our Concepts ‘Structure the Material of Our Experience’

      • Felix Mühlhölzer

      Pages 170-185

   3. On the Mathematical Overdetermination of Physics

      • Erhard Scheibe

      Pages 186-199

   4. The Mathematical Frame of Quantum Field Theory

      • Klaus Fredenhagen

      Pages 200-204

   5. The Role of Mathematics in Contemporary Theoretical Physics

      • Gernot Münster

      Pages 205-212

   6. A Most General Principle of Invariance

      • Erhard Scheibe

      Pages 213-225

   7. Kant and the Straight Biangle

      • Gerold Prauss

      Pages 226-234

In recent times a new dialogue has begun between the natural sciences and the humanities. This is particularly true of physics and philosophy, whose sphere of mutual interest expanded significantly with the advent of quantum mechanics. Among other topics, the discussion covers the evolution of theories, the role of mathematics in the physical sciences, the perception and cognition of nature and definitions of space and time. In contrast to the custom of the last two centuries, mathematics - the language of physics - is once again finding a respected place in the discourse of philosophers. The interdisciplinary communication between philosophers, mathematicians and physicists will be given new impetus by the thoughtful and wide-ranging contributions to this book.

• cosmology
• field theory
• mathematics
• mechanics
• modern physics
• philosophy
• philosophy of mathematics
• philosophy of science
• physics
• quantum field theory
• quantum mechanics
• quantum physics
• quantum theory
• theoretical physics
• universe

• Forschungsstätte der Evangelischen Studiengemeinschaft, Heidelberg, Germany

  Enno Rudolph, Ion-Olimpiu Stamatescu

Policies and ethics