Symmetries in Physics: Philosophical Reflections

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New York: Cambridge University Press (2002)
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Abstract

Highlighting main issues and controversies, this book brings together current philosophical discussions of symmetry in physics to provide an introduction to the subject for physicists and philosophers. The contributors cover all the fundamental symmetries of modern physics, such as CPT and permutation symmetry, as well as discussing symmetry-breaking and general interpretational issues. Classic texts are followed by new review articles and shorter commentaries for each topic. Suitable for courses on the foundations of physics, philosophy of physics and philosophy of science, the volume is a valuable reference for students and researchers.

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2003, 2010

Call number

QC174.17.S9.S984 2003

ISBN(s)

0521528895   9780521821377   0521821371   9780521528894

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Chapters

A fourth way to the Aharonov-Bohm effect.Antigone M. Nounou
General covariance, gauge theories and the kretschmann objection.John D. Norton
Mirror symmetry: What is it for relational space to be orientable?Nick Huggett
Symmetry, objectivity, and design.Peter Kosso
Classic texts: extracts from Weyl and Wigner.  (pages 21)Hermann Weyl
On continuous symmetries and the foundations of modern physics.  (pages 29--60)Christopher Martin
Symmetries and Noether's theorems.  (pages 89)Katherine Bracing & Harvey R. Brown
General covariance, gauge theories and the kretschmann objection.  (pages 110--123)John D. Norton
The interpretation of gauge symmetry.  (pages 124--139)Michael Redhead
Tracking down gauge: An ode to the constrained Hamiltonian formalism.  (pages 140--62)John Earman
Time-dependent symmetries: the link between gauge symmetries and indeterminism.  (pages 163--173)David Wallace
Classic texts: Extracts from Leibniz, Kant, and Black.  (pages 203)Katherine A. Brading & Elena Castellani
Understanding permutation symmetry.  (pages 212--38)Steven French & Dean Rickles
Handedness, parity violation and the reality of space.  (pages 250--280)Oliver Pooley
Handedness, parity violation, and the reality of space.  (pages 250--280)Oliver Pooley
Mirror symmetry: What is it for relational space to be orientable?  (pages 281)Nick Huggett
Physics and Leibniz's principles.  (pages 289--307)Simon Saunders
Classic texts: extracts from Curie and Weyl.  (pages 311)Pierre Curie
Classic texts: extracts from Wigner.  (pages 367)Eugene P. Wigner
Symmetry as a guide to superfluous theoretical structure.  (pages 371--92)Jenann Ismael & Bas C. van~Fraassen
Notes on symmetries.  (pages 393--412)Gordon Belot
Symmetry and equivalence.  (pages 425--436)Elena Castellani

Similar books and articles

Essay Review: Symmetries in Physics*K. Brading and E. Castellani, eds., Symmetries in Physics: Philosophical Reflections. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press , xii+445 pp. [REVIEW]Jordi Cat - 2006 - Philosophy of Science 73 (4):459-468.
Understanding permutation symmetry.Steven French & Dean Rickles - 2002 - In Katherine Brading & Elena Castellani (eds.), Symmetries in Physics: Philosophical Reflections. New York: Cambridge University Press. pp. 212--38.
On the meaning of symmetry breaking.Elena Castellani - unknown
Symmetry and equivalence.Elena Castellani - 2002 - In Katherine Brading & Elena Castellani (eds.), Symmetries in Physics: Philosophical Reflections. New York: Cambridge University Press. pp. 425--436.
Symmetry, objectivity, and design.Peter Kosso - 2002 - In Katherine Brading & Elena Castellani (eds.), Symmetries in Physics: Philosophical Reflections. New York: Cambridge University Press.
The interpretation of gauge symmetry.Michael Redhead - 2002 - In Katherine Brading & Elena Castellani (eds.), Symmetries in Physics: Philosophical Reflections. New York: Cambridge University Press. pp. 124--139.
Symmetry as a guide to superfluous theoretical structure.Jenann Ismael & Bas C. van~Fraassen - 2002 - In Katherine Brading & Elena Castellani (eds.), Symmetries in Physics: Philosophical Reflections. New York: Cambridge University Press. pp. 371--92.
Notes on symmetries.Gordon Belot - 2002 - In Katherine Brading & Elena Castellani (eds.), Symmetries in Physics: Philosophical Reflections. New York: Cambridge University Press. pp. 393--412.

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Author Profiles

Elena Castellani
Università degli Studi di Firenze
Katherine Brading
Duke University

Citations of this work

Sophistication about Symmetries.Neil Dewar - 2019 - British Journal for the Philosophy of Science 70 (2):485-521.
The Mathematical Universe.Max Tegmark - 2007 - Foundations of Physics 38 (2):101-150.
Sophistry about symmetries?Niels C. M. Martens & James Read - 2020 - Synthese 199 (1-2):315-344.
Holism and structuralism in U(1) gauge theory.Holger Lyre - 2004 - Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part B: Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics 35 (4):643-670.
On symmetry and duality.Sebastian De Haro & Jeremy Butterfield - 2021 - Synthese 198 (4):2973-3013.

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References found in this work

Laws and symmetry.Bas C. Van Fraassen - 1989 - New York: Oxford University Press.
Laws and Symmetry.Bas C. Van Fraassen - 1989 - Revue Philosophique de la France Et de l'Etranger 182 (3):327-329.
The interpretation of gauge symmetry.Michael Redhead - 2002 - In Katherine Brading & Elena Castellani (eds.), Symmetries in Physics: Philosophical Reflections. New York: Cambridge University Press. pp. 124--139.
Symmetry.J. P. Hodin - 1953 - Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism 12 (1):133-134.

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