Interactions Mathematics, Physics and Philosophy, 1860-1930 [Paperback]

The main theme of this anthology is the unique interaction between mathematics, physics and philosophy during the beginning of the 20th century. In this book, ten renowned philosopher-historians probe insightfully into key conceptual questions of pre-quantum mathematical physics. The result is a diverse yet thematically focused compilation of first class papers on mathematics, physics and philosophy, and a source-book on the interaction between them.

Preface DAVID E. ROWE / Einsteins Allies and Enemies: Debating Relativity in Germany, 1916-1920. HELMUT PULTE / The Space between Helmholtz and Einstein: Moritz Schlick on Spatial Intuition and the Foundations of Geometry. DAVID HYDER / Kant, Helmholtz and the Determinacy of Physical Theory. ROBERT DISALLE / Mathematical Structure, 'World Structure,' and the Philosophical Turning-point in Modern Physics. ERHARDSCHOLZ/ The Changing Concept of Matter in H.Weyls Thought, 1918  1930. LAWRENCE SKLAR / Why Does the Standard Measure Work in Statistical Mechanics? JESPER LU? TZEN / A Mechanical Image: Heinrich Hertzs Principles of Mechanics JEREMY GRAY / Enriques: Popularising Science and the Problems of Geometry. MICHEL JANSSEN AND MATTHEW MECKLENBURG / Electromagnetic Models of the Electron and the Transition from Classical to Relativistic Mechanics ULRICH MAJER / Hilberts Axiomatic Approach to the Foundations of Sciencea Failed Research Program? Index

This is an outstanding collection of original essays. All of them concern
the history and philosophy of mathematics and physics in the years from
1870 to 1930. More specifically, they are intellectual histories of the
interactions between the three disciplines, philosophy, mathematics and
physics, in that period. And as the essays bring out, what a period it
was: of both ferment and synergy, heat and light! Most of the
giants - especially Helmholtz, Hertz, Poincare, Hilbert, ElC