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Symmetry, Structure, and Spacetime
1st Edition, Volume 3 - October 5, 2007
Author: Dean Rickles
Language: English
Hardback ISBN:9780444531162
9 7 8 - 0 - 4 4 4 - 5 3 1 1 6 - 2
eBook ISBN:9780080552064
9 7 8 - 0 - 0 8 - 0 5 5 2 0 6 - 4
In this book Rickles considers several interpretative difficulties raised by gauge-type symmetries (those that correspond to no change in physical state). The ubiquity of such…Read more
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In this book Rickles considers several interpretative difficulties raised by gauge-type symmetries (those that correspond to no change in physical state). The ubiquity of such symmetries in modern physics renders them an urgent topic in philosophy of physics. Rickles focuses on spacetime physics, and in particular classical and quantum general relativity. Here the problems posed are at their most pathological, involving the apparent disappearance of spacetime! Rickles argues that both traditional ontological positions should be replaced by a structuralist account according to which relational structure is what the physics is about.
· Unified treatment of gauge symmetries and their relationship to ontology in physics· Brings philosophy of space and time into step with developments in modern physics· Argues against the received view on the implications of symmetries in physics· Provides elementary treatments of technical issues· Illustrates a novel defense of structuralism
1 Interpretation and Formalism2 Space and Time in the Leibniz-Clarke Debate3 The Interpretation of Gauge Symmetries4 Spacetime in General Relativity5 Responding to the Hole Problem6 What is an Observable In General Relativity?7 Time, Change, and Gauge8 Symmetry and Ontology9 Structuralism and Symmetry
No. of pages: 242
Language: English
Edition: 1
Volume: 3
Published: October 5, 2007
Imprint: Elsevier Science
Hardback ISBN: 9780444531162
eBook ISBN: 9780080552064
DR
Dean Rickles
Dean Rickles's main research interests lie in the general area of philosophy of physics, especially quantum gravity. He recently coedited a book on The Structural Foundations of Quantum Gravity (Oxford University Press, 2006) and has a forthcoming edited philosophy of physics textbook: The Ashgate Companion to the New Philosophy of Physics (Ashgate, 2008).
Affiliations and expertise
University of Sydney, Australia
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