Read more
Lost Causes in and Beyond Physics deals with a selection of research topics mostly from theoretical physics that have been shown to be a dead-end or continue at least to be highly controversial. Nevertheless, whether it is about Bohmian mechanics, physics from Fisher information or the quantum theory of the brain, small but dedicated research communities continue to work on these issues. R.F. Streater, renowned mathematical physicist and co-author of the famous book "PCT, Spin and Statistics, and all that", in a series of essays describes the work and struggle of these research commnities, as well as the chances of any breakthrough in these areas. This book is written as both an entertainment and serious study and should be accessible to anyone with a background in theoretical physics and mathematics.
List of contents
Munchausen's Syndrome by Proxy.- Elementary Probability.- Quantum Probability.- Bayesians.- EPR and the Dangers of Cannabis.- Stapp's Theory of the Brain.- Hidden Variables.- Bohmian Mechanics.- The Analytic S-matrix Bootstrap.- Nelson and Wiener.- Other Lost Causes.- Some Good Ideas.
Summary
Lost Causes in and Beyond Physics deals with a selection of research topics mostly from theoretical physics that have been shown to be a dead-end or continue at least to be highly controversial. Nevertheless, whether it is about Bohmian mechanics, physics from Fisher information or the quantum theory of the brain, small but dedicated research communities continue to work on these issues. R.F. Streater, renowned mathematical physicist and co-author of the famous book "PCT, Spin and Statistics, and all that", in a series of essays describes the work and struggle of these research commnities, as well as the chances of any breakthrough in these areas. This book is written as both an entertainment and serious study and should be accessible to anyone with a background in theoretical physics and mathematics.
Report
From the reviews:
"The book is enjoyable ... and features a wide array of topics, many connected in some way with Streater's anti-Bohmian stance. ... Naturally, those who defend any of the lost causes covered will wish to buy this book, as will those interested in foundations of physics research more generally." (Dean Rickles, Mathematical Reviews, Issue 2008 j)
