Overview

Quantum field theory (QFT) is the union of quantum mechanics and Einstein's special theory of relativity. QFT is the most fundamental physical theory and provides the answers to questions about the basic structure of the physical world. However, the way QFT describes the world is so different from the way our senses present it to us that it requires an overhaul of philosophic categories and arguments. How can we know the microscopic world without a satisfactory measurement theory? What are the general conditions of the world that make possible such knowledge? What are the presuppositions of physical theories? Dr.Auyang argues that the current relational- substantial debate on space- time is inadequate and the observer- observed distinction in quantum interpretations illusory becouse they are hampered by philosophical constructs too narrow to accommodate the complicated structures of modern philosophical theories. Modern physical theories have incorporated many presuppositions of empirical knowledge, and consequently the theories inform us about the general nature of the world and out relation to it, in addition to information about elementary particles. The conceptual structure of QFT is extracted and articulated in common- sense terms, and used to answer many longstanding philosophical questions.

Full Product Details

Author:   Sunny Y. Auyang (formerly Research Scientist, formerly Research Scientist, Massachusetts Institute of Technology)
Publisher:   Oxford University Press Inc
Imprint:   Oxford University Press Inc
Dimensions:   Width: 23.10cm , Height: 2.50cm , Length: 16.30cm
Weight:   0.599kg
ISBN:  

9780195093445

ISBN 10:   0195093445
Pages:   288
Publication Date:   31 August 1995
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Manufactured on demand  
We will order this item for you from a manufactured on demand supplier.

Table of Contents

PART 1: Introduction 1: A Human View of the World in Quantum Field Theory 2: The Categorical Framework of Objective Knowledge PART 2: Nonrelativistic Quantum Mechanics 3: The Structure of Quantum Mechanics 4: The Quantum Measurement Problem PART 3: Relativity and Symmetries 5: Geometry and Space-time 6: Symmetries in Physics 7: The Principles of Relativity and Local Symmetry PART 4: Quantum Field Theory 8: Quantum Fields and Elementary Particles 9: Fields, Quantum Fields, and Field Quanta 10: Interacting Field and Gauge Field Theory PART 5: Objects of Experiences: Quantum States-Observables-Statistics 11: Properties and Quantum Properties 12: The Form of Observation and the Reality of Quantum States 13: The Gap in Understanding: Eigenvalue and Probability 14: Coordinatization of the Quantum World: Observables 15: The General Concept of Objects in Physical Theories 16: The Illusion of the Observer 17: The Mentalism Behind Yes-no Experiments PART 6: The Event-structure and the Spatio-temporal Order: Local Fields 18: The Whole and the Individual: Field and Event 19: This-Something: Events or Local Fields 20: The Basic Spatio-temporal Structure of the Physical World 21: The Referential Structure of Field Theory 22: The States of the Field as a Whole: Field Quanta 23: Identity and Diversity: Quantum Multi-Particle Systems PART 7: Explicit Relations and the Causal Order: Interacting Fields 24: The Constancy of Prediction and the Cement of the Universe 25: Permanence, Endurance, and the Concepts of Time 26: How Are Regular Successions of Events Possible? 27: Relational Properties: Phase and Potential 28: Causal Relations: Connection and Parallel Transport 29: Thoroughgoing Interaction: Renormalization PART 8: Epilogue 30: The Intelligibility of the Objective World Appendix A: Measure and Probability: Quantity, Quality, Modality A1: Measure: The General Concept of Extensive Magnitudes A2: Function and Distribution: Individual and Collective Qualities A3: Individual, Statistical, and Probabilistic Statements Appendix B: Fiber Bundles Appendix C: The Cosmic and the Microscopic: An Application

Reviews

The union of quantum mechanics and special relativity and its importance to the basic structure of the physical world. --Science & Spirit<br>

<br> The union of quantum mechanics and special relativity and its importance to the basic structure of the physical world. --Science & Spirit<p><br>

The union of quantum mechanics and special relativity and its importance to the basic structure of the physical world. --Science & Spirit The union of quantum mechanics and special relativity and its importance to the basic structure of the physical world. --Science & Spirit

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