Overview

Almost from its inception, Einstein's general theory of relativity was known to sanction spacetime models harboring singularities. Until the 1960s, however, spacetime singularities were thought to be artifacts of the idealizations of the models. This attitude evaporated in the face of a series of theorems, due largely to Stephen Hawking and Roger Penrose, which showed that Einstein's general theory implies that singularities can be expected to occur in a wide variety of conditions in both gravitational collapse and in cosmology. In the light of these results some physicists adopted the attitude that, since spacetime singularities are intolerable, general relativity contains within itself the seeds of its own destruction. Others hoped that peaceful coexistence with singularities could be achieved by proving a form of Roger Penrose's cosmic censorship hypothesis, which would place singularities safely inside black holes. Whatever the attitude one adopts toward spacetime singularities, it is evident that they raise a number of foundational problems for physics and have profound implications for the philosophy of space and time. However, philosophers of science have been slow to awaken to the significance of these developments. Indeed, this is the first serious book-length study of the subject by a philosopher of science. It features an overview of the literature on singularities, as well as an analytic commentary on their significance to a number of scientific and philosophical issues.

Full Product Details

9780195095913

Table of Contents

Reviews

.,. I enthusiastically recommend this important work to anyone, philosopher or scientist, interested in the foundations of spacetime. Not only does the book include discussions of fascinating topics previously neglected by philosophers, but it is also chock full of original arguments in both physics and philosophy. --The Philosophical Review<br> This book should provide students of general relativity with a useful companion to the texts of Hawking and Ellis, Joshi and Clarke; professionals will also be interested in the different perspective it offers on work in global structure, and in its emphasis on points which can sometimes be lost in the detailed study of the mathematical structures involved. --Mathematical Reviews<br> A worthwhile and recommended addition to collections on the philosophy of science. --Choice<br> It is greatly to be hoped that this book, by setting out and elucidating the main problems, will stimulate more work in this area, so important for the understanding of the foundations of physics. Earman has shown in a most impressive way that the philosophy of science can develop only if it keeps closely in touch with the latest scientific advances. --International Philosophical Quarterly<br>

"""...I enthusiastically recommend this important work to anyone, philosopher or scientist, interested in the foundations of spacetime. Not only does the book include discussions of fascinating topics previously neglected by philosophers, but it is also chock full of original arguments in both physics and philosophy.""--The Philosophical Review ""This book should provide students of general relativity with a useful companion to the texts of Hawking and Ellis, Joshi and Clarke; professionals will also be interested in the different perspective it offers on work in global structure, and in its emphasis on points which can sometimes be lost in the detailed study of the mathematical structures involved."" --Mathematical Reviews ""A worthwhile and recommended addition to collections on the philosophy of science.""--Choice ""It is greatly to be hoped that this book, by setting out and elucidating the main problems, will stimulate more work in this area, so important for the understanding of the foundations of physics. Earman has shown in a most impressive way that the philosophy of science can develop only if it keeps closely in touch with the latest scientific advances.""--International Philosophical Quarterly ""...I enthusiastically recommend this important work to anyone, philosopher or scientist, interested in the foundations of spacetime. Not only does the book include discussions of fascinating topics previously neglected by philosophers, but it is also chock full of original arguments in both physics and philosophy.""--The Philosophical Review ""This book should provide students of general relativity with a useful companion to the texts of Hawking and Ellis, Joshi and Clarke; professionals will also be interested in the different perspective it offers on work in global structure, and in its emphasis on points which can sometimes be lost in the detailed study of the mathematical structures involved."" --Mathematical Reviews ""A worthwhile and recommended addition to collections on the philosophy of science.""--Choice ""It is greatly to be hoped that this book, by setting out and elucidating the main problems, will stimulate more work in this area, so important for the understanding of the foundations of physics. Earman has shown in a most impressive way that the philosophy of science can develop only if it keeps closely in touch with the latest scientific advances.""--International Philosophical Quarterly"

<br>.. .I enthusiastically recommend this important work to anyone, philosopher or scientist, interested in the foundations of spacetime. Not only does the book include discussions of fascinating topics previously neglected by philosophers, but it is also chock full of original arguments in both physics and philosophy. --The Philosophical Review<br> This book should provide students of general relativity with a useful companion to the texts of Hawking and Ellis, Joshi and Clarke; professionals will also be interested in the different perspective it offers on work in global structure, and in its emphasis on points which can sometimes be lost in the detailed study of the mathematical structures involved. --Mathematical Reviews<br> A worthwhile and recommended addition to collections on the philosophy of science. --Choice<br> It is greatly to be hoped that this book, by setting out and elucidating the main problems, will stimulate more work in this area, so important for the understandin

<br>. ..I enthusiastically recommend this important work to anyone, philosopher or scientist, interested in the foundations of spacetime. Not only does the book include discussions of fascinating topics previously neglected by philosophers, but it is also chock full of original arguments in both physics and philosophy. --The Philosophical Review<p><br> This book should provide students of general relativity with a useful companion to the texts of Hawking and Ellis, Joshi and Clarke; professionals will also be interested in the different perspective it offers on work in global structure, and in its emphasis on points which can sometimes be lost in the detailed study of the mathematical structures involved. --Mathematical Reviews<p><br> A worthwhile and recommended addition to collections on the philosophy of science. --Choice<p><br> It is greatly to be hoped that this book, by setting out and elucidating the main problems, will stimulate more work in this area, so important for the understanding of the foundations of physics. Earman has shown in a most impressive way that the philosophy of science can develop only if it keeps closely in touch with the latest scientific advances. --International Philosophical Quarterly<p><br>

Author Information

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available