Defending Einstein: Hans Reichenbach's Writings on Space, Time and Motion - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0521371163 ISBN 13: 9780521371162

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2011

Synopsis

Hans Reichenbach, a philosopher of science who was one of five students in Einstein's first seminar on the general theory of relativity, became Einstein's bulldog, defending the theory against criticism from philosophers, physicists, and popular commentators. This book chronicles the development of Reichenbach's reconstruction of Einstein's theory in a way that clearly sets out all of its philosophical commitments and its physical predictions as well as the battles that Reichenbach fought on its behalf, in both the academic and popular press. The essays include reviews and responses to philosophical colleagues; polemical discussions with physicists Max Born and D. C. Miller; as well as popular articles meant for the layperson. At a time when physics and philosophy were both undergoing revolutionary changes in content and method, this book is a window into the development of scientific philosophy and the role of the philosopher.

About this title

Review:

"...any philosopher interested in foundational issues (both historical and philosophical) on space, time, and spacetime (especially those who can't read French and German!) will want to have a copy of this book." --Dean Rickles, University of Calgary: Philosophy in Review

Book Description:

Hans Reichenbach, a philosopher of science who was one of five students in Einstein's first seminar on the theory of relativity, defended Einstein against criticism from philosophers, physicists and popular commentators. Chronicled in this book is Reichenbach's defence, offering an insight into scientific philosophy and the role of the philosopher.

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 0521371163
• ISBN 13: 9780521371162
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 224
• Editor: Gimbel Steven