Philosophy of Physical Magnitudes
Seiten
2024
Cambridge University Press (Verlag)
978-1-009-23368-2 (ISBN)
Cambridge University Press (Verlag)
978-1-009-23368-2 (ISBN)
Dimensional quantities such as length, mass and charge, i.e., numbers combined with a conventional unit, are essential components of theories in the sciences. This Element illustrates questions about them by imagining how one would convey the meaning of a kilogram to aliens if one were only allowed to communicate via Morse code.
Dimensional quantities such as length, mass and charge, i.e., numbers combined with a conventional unit, are essential components of theories in the sciences, especially physics, chemistry and biology. Do they represent a world with absolute physical magnitudes, or are they merely magnitude ratios in disguise? Would we notice a difference if all the distances or charges in the world suddenly doubled? These central questions of this Element are illustrated by imagining how one would convey the meaning of a kilogram to aliens if one were only allowed to communicate via Morse code.
Dimensional quantities such as length, mass and charge, i.e., numbers combined with a conventional unit, are essential components of theories in the sciences, especially physics, chemistry and biology. Do they represent a world with absolute physical magnitudes, or are they merely magnitude ratios in disguise? Would we notice a difference if all the distances or charges in the world suddenly doubled? These central questions of this Element are illustrated by imagining how one would convey the meaning of a kilogram to aliens if one were only allowed to communicate via Morse code.
1. Introduction; 2. Arguments; 3. Decision point: physical magnitudes; 4. Decision point: physical magnitudes; 5. Decision point: other initial determinables; 6. Decision point: laws & constants of nature; 7. Decision point: non-dynamical considerations; 8. Overview; References.
| Erscheinungsdatum | 02.02.2024 |
|---|---|
| Reihe/Serie | Elements in the Philosophy of Physics |
| Zusatzinfo | Worked examples or Exercises |
| Verlagsort | Cambridge |
| Sprache | englisch |
| Maße | 152 x 229 mm |
| Gewicht | 99 g |
| Themenwelt | Geisteswissenschaften ► Philosophie ► Metaphysik / Ontologie |
| Naturwissenschaften | |
| ISBN-10 | 1-009-23368-8 / 1009233688 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1-009-23368-2 / 9781009233682 |
| Zustand | Neuware |
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