Philosophy of Physical Magnitudes

Dimensional quantities such as length, mass and charge, i.e., numbers combined with a conventional unit, are essential components of theories in the sciences. This Element illustrates questions about them by imagining how one would convey the meaning of a kilogram to aliens if one were only allowed to communicate via Morse code.

List of contents

1. Introduction; 2. Arguments; 3. Decision point: physical magnitudes; 4. Decision point: physical magnitudes; 5. Decision point: other initial determinables; 6. Decision point: laws & constants of nature; 7. Decision point: non-dynamical considerations; 8. Overview; References.

Summary

Dimensional quantities such as length, mass and charge, i.e., numbers combined with a conventional unit, are essential components of theories in the sciences. This Element illustrates questions about them by imagining how one would convey the meaning of a kilogram to aliens if one were only allowed to communicate via Morse code.

Foreword

Would the world be any different if we doubled all the masses, or all the lengths, or all the charges?

Product details

• Authors: Niels C. M. Martens, Niels C. M. (Universiteit Utrecht Martens, Niels C. M. (University of Bonn) Martens
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press ELT
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 31.01.2024
• EAN: 9781009467827
• ISBN: 978-1-0-0946782-7
• No. of pages: 58
• Series: Elements in the Philosophy of Physics
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Philosophy > General, dictionaries; Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Natural sciences (general); SCIENCE / Philosophy & Social Aspects, Philosophy of Science, Philosophy: metaphysics & ontology, Realism, Philosophy: metaphysics and ontology