A New Foundation of Physical Theories

Product Description Written in the tradition of G. Ludwig's groundbreaking works, this book aims to clarify and formulate more precisely the fundamental ideas of physical theories. By introducing a basic descriptive language of simple form, in which it is possible to formulate recorded facts, ambiguities of physical theories are avoided as much as possible. In this approach the field of physics that should be described by a theory is determined by basic concepts only, i.e. concepts that can be explained without a theory. In this context the authors introduce a new concept of idealization and review the process of discovering new concepts. They believe that, when the theories are formulated within an axiomatic basis, solutions can be found to many difficult problems such as the interpretation of physical theories, the relations between theories as well as the introduction of physical concepts. The book addresses both physicists and philosophers of science and should encourage the reader to contribute to the understanding of the lasting core of physical knowledge about the real structures of the world. Review Aus den Rezensionen:"... die wesentlich umgearbeitete und englische Neuausgabe … Die Beziehung zwischen Wirklichkeit und Theorie wird sehr detailliert beschrieben … Eher noch detaillierter fällt die Analyse der theoretischen Struktur aus ... Dabei ist das ganze Projekt faszinierend, ein mutiges und überzeugendes Unterfangen, mit viel Fachverstand und genialen Gedanken angegangen. Der Leser muss sich allerdings auf ein gutes Pensum harter Arbeit einstellen, die sich aber lohnt. Ich kann das Buch jedem an Grundlagen der Physik und an ernsthafter Wissenschaftstheorie Interessierten nur empfehlen." (Michael Drieschner, in: Physik Journal, 2009, Vol. 8, Issue 2, S. 43 f.) "... Das Buch bildet eine Art Summe der wissenschaftstheoretischen Überlegungen Günther Ludwigs ... Die Autoren … gehen von einer Grund-Sprache ... aus, die festgestellte Tatsachen in einfachen genormten Sätzen ausdrückt. ... Insgesamt ist Ludwigs Theorie ein faszinierendes, vielversprechende Unternehmen, in das man sich mit diesem Buch einführen lassen kann. Der Leser muß sich allerdings darauf einrichten, daß ihm dabei ein gutes Pensum harter Arbeit bevorsteht. Aber es lohnt sich. Ich kann das jedem an Grundlagen der Physik und an ernsthafter Wissenschaftstheorie Interessierten nur empfehlen." (M. Drieschner, in: Journal for General Philsophy of Science, 2008, Vol. 39, S. 403 ff.) From the Back Cover Written in the tradition of G. Ludwig’s groundbreaking works, this book aims to clarify and formulate more precisely the fundamental ideas of physical theories. By introducing a basic descriptive language of simple form, in which it is possible to formulate recorded facts, ambiguities of physical theories are avoided as much as possible. In this approach the field of physics that should be described by a theory is determined by basic concepts only, i.e. concepts that can be explained without a theory.In this context the authors introduce a new concept of idealization and review the process of discovering new concepts. They believe that, when the theories are formulated within an axiomatic basis, solutions can be found to many difficult problems such as the interpretation of physical theories, the relations between theories as well as the introduction of physical concepts.The book addresses both physicists and philosophers of science and should encourage the reader to contribute to the understanding of the lasting core of physical knowledge about the real structures of the world.