Philosophy of Physics: Space and Time (Princeton Foundations of Contemporary Philosophy) - Softcover

Maudlin, Tim

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0691165718 ISBN 13: 9780691165714

Publisher: Princeton University Press, 2015

Synopsis

Philosophical foundations of the physics of space-time

This concise book introduces nonphysicists to the core philosophical issues surrounding the nature and structure of space and time, and is also an ideal resource for physicists interested in the conceptual foundations of space-time theory. Tim Maudlin's broad historical overview examines Aristotelian and Newtonian accounts of space and time, and traces how Galileo's conceptions of relativity and space-time led to Einstein's special and general theories of relativity. Maudlin explains special relativity with enough detail to solve concrete physical problems while presenting general relativity in more qualitative terms. Additional topics include the Twins Paradox, the physical aspects of the Lorentz-FitzGerald contraction, the constancy of the speed of light, time travel, the direction of time, and more.

• Introduces nonphysicists to the philosophical foundations of space-time theory


• Provides a broad historical overview, from Aristotle to Einstein


• Explains special relativity geometrically, emphasizing the intrinsic structure of space-time


• Covers the Twins Paradox, Galilean relativity, time travel, and more


• Requires only basic algebra and no formal knowledge of physics

About this title

About the Author

Tim Maudlin is professor of philosophy at New York University. His books include The Metaphysics within Physics and Quantum Non-Locality and Relativity.

From the Back Cover

"Exceptionally clear and comprehensive, this engrossing volume will be extremely useful to students. Most introductions to space-time and relativity are written by physicists, but readers interested in a careful examination of the philosophical foundations of the subject are much better served by starting here. I had fun reading this book."--Sean Carroll, author of From Eternity to Here: The Quest for the Ultimate Theory of Time

"Maudlin adroitly guides readers through the mathematical, physical, and philosophical subtleties of Newtonian physics and special and general relativity. The book is filled with lucid and original observations, and succeeds in presenting material that was previously only accessible to those who could stomach significant amounts of differential geometry. A major contribution."--David Wallace, University of Oxford

Edition details

• Publisher: Princeton University Press
• Publication date: 2015
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0691165718
• ISBN 13: 9780691165714
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 200