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Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- Copyright acknowledgments
- PART I The scientific enterprise
- PART II Ancient and modern models of the universe
- PART III The Newtonian universe
- PART IV A perspective
- PART V Mechanical versus electrodynamical world views
- PART VI The theory of relativity
- PART VII The quantum world and the completeness of quantum mechanics
- PART VIII Some philosophical lessons from quantum mechanics
- PART IX A retrospective
- Notes
- General references
- Bibliography
- Author index
- Subject index
PART IX - A retrospective
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 June 2012
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- Copyright acknowledgments
- PART I The scientific enterprise
- PART II Ancient and modern models of the universe
- PART III The Newtonian universe
- PART IV A perspective
- PART V Mechanical versus electrodynamical world views
- PART VI The theory of relativity
- PART VII The quantum world and the completeness of quantum mechanics
- PART VIII Some philosophical lessons from quantum mechanics
- PART IX A retrospective
- Notes
- General references
- Bibliography
- Author index
- Subject index
Summary
To the question, “What is Maxwell's theory?” I know of no shorter or more definite answer than the following: – Maxwell's theory is Maxwell's system of equations.
Heinrich Hertz, Electric Waves[T]here is, in my opinion, a right way, and…we are capable of finding it. Our experience hitherto justifies us in believing that nature is the realisation of the simplest conceivable mathematical ideas. I am convinced that we can discover by means of purely mathematical constructions the concepts and the laws connecting them with each other, which furnish the key to the understanding of natural phenomena. Experience may suggest the appropriate mathematical concepts, but they most certainly cannot be deduced from it. Experience remains, of course, the sole criterion of the physical utility of a mathematical construction. But the creative principle resides in mathematics. In a certain sense, therefore, I hold it true that pure thought can grasp reality, as the ancients dreamed.
The belief in an external world independent of the perceiving subject is the basis of all natural science. Since, however, sense perception only gives information of this external world or of ‘physical reality’ indirectly, we can only grasp the latter by speculative means. It follows from this that our notions of physical reality can never be final. We must always be ready to change these notions – that is to say, the axiomatic sub-structure of physics – in order to do justice to perceived facts in the most logically perfect way. […]
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Philosophical Concepts in PhysicsThe Historical Relation between Philosophy and Scientific Theories, pp. 357 - 358Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 1998