| Concepts of Simultaneity: From Antiquity to Einstein and Beyond Contributor(s): Jammer, Max (Author) |
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ISBN: 0801884225 ISBN-13: 9780801884221 Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press OUR PRICE: $57.95 Product Type: Hardcover Published: November 2006 Annotation: Max Jammer's Concepts of Simultaneity presents a comprehensive, accessible account of the historical development of an important and controversial concept -- which played a critical role in initiating modern theoretical physics -- from the days of Egyptian hieroglyphs through to Einstein's work in 1905, and beyond. Beginning with the use of the concept of simultaneity in ancient Egypt and in the Bible, the study discusses its role in Greek and medieval philosophy as well as its significance in Newtonian physics and in the ideas of Leibniz, Kant, and other classical philosophers. The central theme of Jammer's presentation is a critical analysis of the use of this concept by philosophers of science, like Poincar, and its significant role in inaugurating modern theoretical physics in Einstein's special theory of relativity. Particular attention is paid to the philosophical problem of whether the notion of distant simultaneity presents a factual reality or only a hypothetical convention. The study concludes with an analysis of simultaneity's importance in general relativity and quantum mechanics. |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Science | Physics - Relativity - Science | Philosophy & Social Aspects - Science | Chemistry - Physical & Theoretical |
| Dewey: 530.11 |
| LCCN: 2006048564 |
| Physical Information: 0.94" H x 6.34" W x 9.1" (1.27 lbs) 320 pages |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: Max Jammer's Concepts of Simultaneity presents a comprehensive, accessible account of the historical development of an important and controversial concept--which played a critical role in initiating modern theoretical physics--from the days of Egyptian hieroglyphs through to Einstein's work in 1905, and beyond. Beginning with the use of the concept of simultaneity in ancient Egypt and in the Bible, the study discusses its role in Greek and medieval philosophy as well as its significance in Newtonian physics and in the ideas of Leibniz, Kant, and other classical philosophers. The central theme of Jammer's presentation is a critical analysis of the use of this concept by philosophers of science, like Poincar , and its significant role in inaugurating modern theoretical physics in Einstein's special theory of relativity. Particular attention is paid to the philosophical problem of whether the notion of distant simultaneity presents a factual reality or only a hypothetical convention. The study concludes with an analysis of simultaneity's importance in general relativity and quantum mechanics. |
Contributor Bio(s): Jammer, Max: - Max Jammer, who was personally acquainted with Albert Einstein while at Princeton, is former president and professor emeritus of Bar-Ilan University and author of a number of important books, mainly in the philosophy of physics. Among his numerous awards are the Prize of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the much coveted Israel Prize. |