Physics, Structure, and RealityIn Physics, Structure, and Reality, Jill North addresses a set of questions that get to the heart of the project of interpreting physics--of figuring out what physics is telling us about the world. How do we figure out the nature of the world from a mathematically formulated physical theory? What do we infer about the world when a physical theory can be mathematically formulated in different ways? North argues that there is a certain notion of structure, implicit in physics and mathematics, to which we should pay careful attention in order to discern what physics is telling us about the nature of reality. North draws lessons for related topics, including the use of coordinate systems in physics, the differences among various formulations of classical mechanics, the nature of spacetime structure, the equivalence of physical theories, and the importance of scientific explanation. Although the book does not explicitly defend scientific realism, instead taking this to be a background assumption, the account provides an indirect case for realism toward our best theories of physics. |
Contents
Introduction | 1 |
What is Structure? Why Care about It? | 17 |
Inferences about Structure | 52 |
Classical Mechanics | 86 |
Spatiotemporal Structure | 128 |
Realism about Structure | 171 |
On the Equivalence of Physical Theories | 192 |
| 231 | |
| 245 | |
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according additional affine transformations allow argue assume called changes Chapter choice claim classical Compare conception conclusions consider coordinate system corresponding debate defined depend describe direct directly discussion distance distinct dynamical equally equation equivalent Euclidean example existence explain facts fields forces formulation function fundamental further genuine geometrized geometry given gravitation grounded hold idea inertial infer invariant kind Lagrangian mechanics Lorentz material bodies mathematical structure means mention metaphysical metric models moving nature needed Newton's laws Newtonian mechanics notion objects ontology original particles particular physical reality physical theories physical world plane posit possible potentials presuppose principle quantities quantum quantum mechanics question realist reason reference frames relationalist relations relativity represent respect scientific seems sense simply space spacetime spatial spatiotemporal structure special relativity standard statespace substantivalist suggest symmetries things topology traditional transformations understanding usual various vector yields