Author: Lawrence Sklar
Publisher: Univ of California Press
ISBN: 0520340701
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 438
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Book Description
In this book, Lawrence Sklar demonstrates the interdependence of science and philosophy by examining a number of crucial problems on the nature of space and time—problems that require for their resolution the resources of philosophy and of physics. The overall issues explored are our knowledge of the geometry of the world, the existence of spacetime as an entity over and above the material objects of the world, the relation between temporal order and causal order, and the problem of the direction of time. Without neglecting the most subtle philosophical points or the most advanced contributions of contemporary physics, the author has taken pains to make his explorations intelligible to the reader with no advanced training in physics, mathematics, or philosophy. The arguments are set forth step-by-step, beginning from first principles; and the philosophical discussions are supplemented in detail by nontechnical expositions of crucial features of physical theories.
Author: S. W. Hawking
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1139810952
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 406
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Book Description
Einstein's General Theory of Relativity leads to two remarkable predictions: first, that the ultimate destiny of many massive stars is to undergo gravitational collapse and to disappear from view, leaving behind a 'black hole' in space; and secondly, that there will exist singularities in space-time itself. These singularities are places where space-time begins or ends, and the presently known laws of physics break down. They will occur inside black holes, and in the past are what might be construed as the beginning of the universe. To show how these predictions arise, the authors discuss the General Theory of Relativity in the large. Starting with a precise formulation of the theory and an account of the necessary background of differential geometry, the significance of space-time curvature is discussed and the global properties of a number of exact solutions of Einstein's field equations are examined. The theory of the causal structure of a general space-time is developed, and is used to study black holes and to prove a number of theorems establishing the inevitability of singualarities under certain conditions. A discussion of the Cauchy problem for General Relativity is also included in this 1973 book.
Author: Frank Arntzenius
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
ISBN: 0198705913
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 297
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Book Description
Frank Arntzenius presents a series of radical ideas about the structure of space and time, and establishes a new metaphysical position which holds that the fundamental structure of the physical world is purely geometrical structure. He argues that we should broaden our conceptual horizons and accept that spaces other than spacetime may exist.
Author: Robert M. Wald
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
ISBN: 9780226870281
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 176
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Book Description
Writing for the general reader or student, Wald has completely revised and updated this highly regarded work to include recent developments in black hole physics and cosmology. Nature called the first edition "a very readable and accurate account of modern relativity physics for the layman within the unavoidable constraint of almost no mathematics. . . . A well written, entertaining and authoritative book."
Author: Federico Alvarez Igarzábal
Publisher: transcript Verlag
ISBN: 3839447135
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 233
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Book Description
Video games are temporal artifacts: They change with time as players interact with them in accordance with rules. In this study, Federico Alvarez Igarzábal investigates the formal aspects of video games that determine how these changes are produced and sequenced. Theories of time perception drawn from the cognitive sciences lay the groundwork for an in-depth analysis of these features, making for a comprehensive account of time in this novel medium. This book-length study dedicated to time perception and video games is an indispensable resource for game scholars and game developers alike. Its reader-friendly style makes it readily accessible to the interested layperson.
Author: Jonathan Allday
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 1351676229
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 469
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Book Description
This book, suitable for interested post-16 school pupils or undergraduates looking for a supplement to their course text, develops our modern view of space-time and its implications in the theories of gravity and cosmology. While aspects of this topic are inevitably abstract, the book seeks to ground thinking in observational and experimental evidence where possible. In addition, some of Einstein’s philosophical thoughts are explored and contrasted with our modern views. Written in an accessible yet rigorous style, Jonathan Allday, a highly accomplished writer, brings his trademark clarity and engagement to these fascinating subjects, which underpin so much of modern physics. Features: Restricted use of advanced mathematics, making the book suitable for post-16 students and undergraduates Contains discussions of key modern developments in quantum gravity, and the latest developments in the field, including results from the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) Accompanied by appendices on the CRC Press website featuring detailed mathematical arguments for key derivations
Author: Barry Dainton
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1134944047
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 632
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Book Description
The first edition (2001) of this title quickly established itself on courses on the philosophy of time and space. This fully revised and expanded new edition sees the addition of chapters on Zeno's paradoxes, speculative contemporary developments in physics, and dynamic time, making the second edition, once again, unrivalled in its breadth of coverage. Surveying both historical debates and the ideas of modern physics, Barry Dainton evaluates the central arguments in a clear and unintimidating way and is careful to keep the conceptual issues throughout comprehensible to students with little scientific or mathematical training. The book makes the philosophy of space and time accessible for anyone trying to come to grips with the complexities of this challenging subject. With over 100 original line illustrations and a full glossary of terms, the book has the requirements of students firmly in sight and will continue to serve as an essential textbook for philosophy of time and space courses.
Author: Norman Sperling
Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
ISBN: 0740798545
Category : Humor
Languages : en
Pages : 290
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Book Description
The Journal of Irreproducible Results is the funniest thing to happen to science since Archimedes ran naked through the streets of Syracuse." --Discover Science humor magazine The Journal of Irreproducible Results has targeted "hypocrisy, arrogance, and ostentatious sesquipedalian circumlocution" since 1955. JIR editor Norman Sperling presents humorous and quirky tidbits relating to science, math, academia, bureaucracy, and witty word play. More than 250 entries ponder and pun the practical and peculiar. Consider OSHA's definition of the word "exit" as compared to Merriam Webster's: OSHA states, "Exit is the portion of a means of egress which is separated from all other spaces of the building or structure by construction or equipment as required in this subpart to provide a protected way to travel to exit discharge." Webster's defines "exit" as, "A way out of an enclosed place or space." If you've ever questioned the warning label on your hand drill that reads, "This product is not intended for use as a dental drill," or wonder what the "punishable by law" penalty is for snipping off that warning label on your pillow or mattress, then this book is for you.
Author: Vesselin Petkov
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3642135382
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 316
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Book Description
Dedicated to the centennial anniversary of Minkowski's discovery of spacetime, this volume contains papers, most presented at the Third International Conference on the Nature and Ontology of Spacetime, that address some of the deepest questions in physics.
Author: Hermann Weyl
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Relativity (Physics)
Languages : en
Pages : 380
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Book Description
