Philosophy and the Foundations of Dynamics

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Cambridge University Press, 2013 - Philosophy - 272 pages
Although now replaced by more modern theories, classical mechanics remains a core foundational element of physical theory. From its inception, the theory of dynamics has been riddled with conceptual issues and differing philosophical interpretations and throughout its long historical development, it has shown subtle conceptual refinement. The interpretive program for the theory has also shown deep evolutionary change over time. Lawrence Sklar discusses crucial issues in the central theory from which contemporary foundational theories are derived and shows how some core issues (the nature of force, the place of absolute reference frames) have nevertheless remained deep puzzles despite the increasingly sophisticated understanding of the theory which has been acquired over time. His book will be of great interest to philosophers of science, philosophers in general and physicists concerned with foundational interpretive issues in their field.
 

Contents

Introduction page
1
The astronomical revolution
24
Precursors to Newtonian dynamics
33
The Newtonian synthesis
46
Philosophical aspects of the Newtonian synthesis
57
The history of statics
75
The Newtonian approach after Newton
89
IO From virtual work to Lagranges equation
96
Hamiltons equations
128
Canonical transformations optical analogies
137
The Search for new foundations
144
I7 New directions in the applications of dynamics
170
Spacetime formulations of Newtonian dynamics
201
mass and force
214
Relationist dynamics
235
Modes of explanation
245

Extremal principles
102
Some philosophical reflections on explanation and theory
110
I3 Conservation principles
118
Retrospective and conclusions
261
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About the author (2013)

Lawrence Sklar is the Carl G. Hempel and William K. Frankena Distinguished University Professor at the University of Michigan. He is the author of Space, Time and Spacetime (1992), Philosophy of Physics (1992), Physics of Chance (Cambridge University Press, 1995) and Theory and Truth (2000).

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