The quest for reality
Subtitle: Bohr and Wittgenstein, two complementary views
By: Stig Stenholm
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; Oxford University Press
Published: 2011
Place of publication: Oxford; New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 296
ISBN-13: 9780199603589
Subjects: SCIENCE / Quantum Theory; Reality; PHILOSOPHY / Epistemology; SCIENCE / Philosophy & Social Aspects
Description: "In both science and philosophy, the twentieth century saw a radical breakdown of certainty in the human worldview, as quantum uncertainty and linguistic ambiguity destroyed the comfortable certitudes of the past. As these disciplines form the foundation for a human position in the world, a major epistemological reorganization had to take place. In this book, quantum theorist Stig Stenholm presents Bohr and Wittgenstein, in physics and in philosophy, as central figures representing this revision. Each of them took up the challenge of replacing apparent order and certainty with a provisional understanding based on limited concepts in constant flux. Stenholm concludes that the modern synthesis created by their heirs is far from satisfactory, and the story is so far an unfinished one. The book will appeal to any researcher in either discipline curious about the foundation of modern science, and works to provoke a renewal of discussion, and the eventual emergence of a reformed clarity and understanding"--
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.
Table of contents: title: Machine generated contents note:; title: 1. Prelude: The modern stance; title: 2. Twilight of the gods; title: 3. The view from Copenhagen; title: 4. Epistemological interlude; title: 5. Wittgenstein enters the scene; title: 6. Shaky foundations; title: 7. Physics interface; title: 8. Philosophical consequences; title: 9. Metaphysics and reality; title: 10. Concluding epilogue.