String theory and the scientific method / Richard Dawid, University of Vienna

Author:: Dawid, Richard, 1966-
Additional Titles:: String Theory & the Scientific Method
Published:: Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 2013.
Physical Description:: 1 online resource (x, 202 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

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Contents:

String theory -- The conceptual framework -- The assessment of scientific underdetermination in string theory -- The dynamics of high energy physics -- Scientific underdetermination in physics and beyond -- Final theory claims -- An altered perspective on scientific realism.

Summary:

String theory has played a highly influential role in theoretical physics for nearly three decades and has substantially altered our view of the elementary building principles of the Universe. However, the theory remains empirically unconfirmed, and is expected to remain so for the foreseeable future. So why do string theorists have such a strong belief in their theory? This book explores this question, offering a novel insight into the nature of theory assessment itself. Dawid approaches the topic from a unique position, having extensive experience in both philosophy and high-energy physics. He argues that string theory is just the most conspicuous example of a number of theories in high-energy physics where non-empirical theory assessment has an important part to play. Aimed at physicists and philosophers of science, the book does not use mathematical formalism and explains most technical terms.

Subject(s):

ISBN:

9781139342513 (ebook)
9781107029712 (hardback)
9781107449619 (paperback)

Note:

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 05 Oct 2015).

View MARC record | catkey: 34847168