From: LARRY KLAES (ljk4_at_msn.com)
Date: Thu Mar 06 2003 - 14:16:25 PST
----- Original Message -----
From: Listserv_at_pupress.princeton.edu
Sent: Thursday, March 06, 2003 3:42 PM
To: ljk4_at_msn.com
Subject: New from Princeton University Press
For Members of Princeton University Press's E-mail List for
Physics,
History of Science and Medicine, Philosophy of Science,
,
We are pleased to send you the following information about this
newly published book:
The Tests of Time
Readings in the Development of Physical Theory
Edited by Lisa M. Dolling, Arthur F. Gianelli, and Glenn N.
Statile
To read a sample chapter, please visit:
http://www.pupress.princeton.edu/titles/7432.html
The development of physical theory is one of our greatest
intellectual achievements. Its products-the currently
prevailing theories of physics, astronomy, and cosmology-
have proved themselves to possess intrinsic beauty and to
have enormous explanatory and predictive power. This
anthology of primary readings chronicles the birth and
maturation of five such theories (the heliocentric theory,
the electromagnetic field theory, special and general
relativity, quantum theory, and the big bang theory) in the
words of the scientists who brought them to life. It is the
first historical account that captures the rich substance of
these theories, each of which represents a fascinating story
of the interplay of evidence and insight-and of dialogue
among great minds.
Readers sit in with Copernicus, Kepler, and Galileo as they
overturn the geocentric universe; observe the genius of
Faraday and Maxwell as they "discover" the electromagnetic
field; look over Einstein's shoulder as he works out the
details of relativity; listen in as Einstein and Bohr argue
for the soul of quantum mechanics in the Completeness
Debate; and watch as Hubble and others reveal the history of
the universe.
The editors' approach highlights the moments of discovery
that rise from scientific creativity, and the presentation
humanizes the scientific process, revealing the extent to
which great scientists were the first to consider the
philosophical implications of their work. But, most
significantly, the editors offer this as their central
thesis: although each was ushered in by a revolution, and
each contains counterintuitive elements that delayed its
acceptance, these five theories exhibit a continuous
rational development that has led them to a permanent place
in the worldview of science.
Accessible to the general reader yet sufficiently
substantive that working scientists will find value in it,
The Tests of Time offers an intimate look into how physical
theory has been developed, by the brilliant people who have
developed it.
Lisa M. Dolling, Arthur F. Gianelli, and Glenn N. Statile
teach the history and philosophy of science on both the
graduate and undergraduate levels at St. John's University.
Arthur Gianelli is Chair of the Philosophy Department and
the coeditor of The Metaphysical Quest. Lisa Dolling has
written and lectured on the philosophy of Niels Bohr and
directs the Science and Religion project at St. John's.
Glenn Statile has lectured and written on topics in
cosmology and the philosophy of science.
0-691-09085-8 Paper $36.95 US and L25.95
0-691-09084-X Cloth $99.50 US and L69.00
768 pages. 70 line illus. 6 x 9.
If you wish to place an order, we encourage you to do so through your
local bookseller. If that is not possible, you can order through our
website by clicking on the link above.
Thank you for participating in our e-mail list. You can look forward to
receiving more announcements of this kind as new books are released in
the subject areas you have selected. You may un-subscribe from this list
at any time by sending a message to Webmaster@pupress.princeton.edu.
We're very interested in your comments and suggestions on this new service.
Feel free to e-mail us at Webmaster@pupress.princeton.edu.
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