Concepts of Simultaneity

From Antiquity to Einstein and Beyond

Inbunden, Engelska, 2006

764 kr

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Beskrivning

Max Jammer's Concepts of Simultaneity presents a comprehensive, accessible account of the historical development of an important and controversial concept-which played a critical role in initiating modern theoretical physics-from the days of Egyptian hieroglyphs through to Einstein's work in 1905, and beyond. Beginning with the use of the concept of simultaneity in ancient Egypt and in the Bible, the study discusses its role in Greek and medieval philosophy as well as its significance in Newtonian physics and in the ideas of Leibniz, Kant, and other classical philosophers. The central theme of Jammer's presentation is a critical analysis of the use of this concept by philosophers of science, like Poincare, and its significant role in inaugurating modern theoretical physics in Einstein's special theory of relativity. Particular attention is paid to the philosophical problem of whether the notion of distant simultaneity presents a factual reality or only a hypothetical convention. The study concludes with an analysis of simultaneity's importance in general relativity and quantum mechanics.

Produktinformation

Utgivningsdatum:2006-12-27
Mått:152 x 229 x 23 mm
Vikt:567 g
Format:Inbunden
Språk:Engelska
Antal sidor:320
Förlag:Johns Hopkins University Press
ISBN:9780801884221

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Mer om författaren

Max Jammer, who was personally acquainted with Albert Einstein while at Princeton, is former president and professor emeritus of Bar-Ilan University and author of a number of important books, mainly in the philosophy of physics. Among his numerous awards are the Prize of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the much coveted Israel Prize.

Recensioner i media

Concepts of Simultaneity excels at clearly explaining subtle but important issues. The book is incisive and valuable; it will appeal not only to historians and philosophers of physics but also to physicists drawn to the elements of special relativity. -- Alberto A. Martinez Physics Today 2007 This interesting, carefully crafted analysis of some fundamental ideas belongs in good college library collections... Highly recommended. Choice 2007 Concepts of Simultaneity provides a welcome survey of the development of our views and theories of simultaneity, bringing together sources in history, physics and philosophy. The book covers an impressive array of material. -- Jill North American Scientist 2008 The view of simultaneity presented by Max Jammer is almost breathtaking... I think Jammer has written a valuable book. -- Allen I. Janis Sudies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics Presents a very well-researched and thought-provoking analysis of the topic. -- Mark Shumelda History and Philosophy of the Life Sciences 2007 I highly recommend the book. -- Craig Callender Isis 2008 Jammer's book is a significant contribution to the literature on the physics of time and merits the attention of both physicists and philosophers of science. -- Howard E. Brandt Mathematical Reviews 2009

Innehållsförteckning

PrefaceIntroduction1. Terminological Preliminaries2. The Concept of Simultaneity in Antiquity3. Medieval Conceptions of Simultaneity4. The Concept of Simultaneity in the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries5. The Concept of Simultaneity in Classical Physics6. The Transition to the Relativistic Conception of Simultaneity7. Simultaneity in the Special Theory of Relativity8. The Reception of the Relativistic Conception of Simultaneity9. The Conventionality Thesis10. The Promulgation of the Conventionality Thesis11. Symmetry and Transitivity of Simultaneity12. Arguments against the Conventionality Thesis13. Clock Transport Synchrony14. Recent Debates on the Conventionality of Simultaneity15. Simultaneity in General Relativity and in Quantum MechanicsEpilogueIndex