Read more
Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker's "Aufbau der Physik", first published in 1985, was intended as an overview of his lifelong concern: an understanding of the unity of physics. That is, the idea of a quantum theory of binary alternatives (the so-called ur-theory), a unified quantum theoretical framework in which spinorial symmetry groups are considered to give rise to the structure of space and time.
The book saw numerous reprints, but it was published in German only.
The present edition, in English, provides a newly arranged and revised version, in which some original chapters and sections have been deleted, and a new chapter about further insights and results of ur-theoretic research of the late 1980's and 1990's, mainly by the work of Thomas Görnitz, has been included, as well as a general introduction to Weizsäcker's Philosophy of Physics.
Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker also enjoys high esteem by a much broader audience for his socio-cultural, political and religious thoughts and writings. In him the intercultural and interdisciplinary dialogue has found one of its most important proponents: a great thinker who combines the perspectives of science, philosophy, religion and politics with a view towards the challenges as well as the responsibilities of our time.
Original title: Aufbau der Physik - Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker - © Carl Hanser Verlag München Wien 1985
List of contents
The unity of physics.- The system of theories.- Probability and abstract quantum theory.- Quantum theory and spacetime.- Models of particles and interaction.- Cosmology and particle physics.- Time and information.- Irreversibility and entropy1.- Information and evolution.- On the interpretation of physics.- The problem of the interpretation of quantum theory.- The stream of information.- Beyond quantum theory.- In the language of philosophers.
About the author
Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker, geb. am 26. Juni 1912 in Kiel, war Professor für Physik in Straßburg und Göttingen, arbeitete am Kaiser-Wilhelm-Institut in Berlin sowie am Max-Planck-Institut in Göttingen und wurde dann Professor für Philosophie in Hamburg. 1957 organisierte er die 'Erklärung der Göttinger Achtzehn', den Protest deutscher Wissenschaftler gegen die Bewaffnung der Bundeswehr mit Atomwaffen. Von 1969-80 war er Direktor des Max-Planck-Instituts zur Erforschung der Lebensbedingungen der wissenschaftlich-technischen Welt in Starnberg. Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker wurde mit zahlreichen internationalen wissenschaftlichen Preisen sowie dem Friedenspreis des Deutschen Buchhandels (1963) ausgezeichnet. 2007 verstarb Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker.
Thomas Görnitz ist Professor für Didaktik der Physik an der Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt. Nach dem Physikstudium und Promotion an der Universität Leipzig und einer politisch bedingten Unterbrechung seiner Forschungslaufbahn ging er 1979 an das Max-Planck-Institut zur Erforschung der Lebensbedingungen der wissenschaftlich technischen Welt zu Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker, um die grundlegenden Verständnisfragen der Quantentheorie zu erforschen. Es folgten Forschungsprojekte zu kosmologischen und mathematischen Fragen der Quantentheorie, bevor Görnitz 1994 nach Forschungsstationen in verschiedenen Max-Planck-Institutionen und an der TU Braunschweig den Ruf nach Frankfurt annahm.
Summary
Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker‘s "Aufbau der Physik", first published in 1985, was intended as an overview of his lifelong concern: an understanding of the unity of physics. That is, the idea of a quantum theory of binary alternatives (the so-called ur-theory), a unified quantum theoretical framework in which spinorial symmetry groups are considered to give rise to the structure of space and time.
The book saw numerous reprints, but it was published in German only.
The present edition, in English, provides a newly arranged and revised version, in which some original chapters and sections have been deleted, and a new chapter about further insights and results of ur-theoretic research of the late 1980’s and 1990’s, mainly by the work of Thomas Görnitz, has been included, as well as a general introduction to Weizsäcker’s Philosophy of Physics.
Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker also enjoys high esteem by a much broader audience for his socio-cultural, political and religious thoughts and writings. In him the intercultural and interdisciplinary dialogue has found one of its most important proponents: a great thinker who combines the perspectives of science, philosophy, religion and politics with a view towards the challenges as well as the responsibilities of our time.
Original title: Aufbau der Physik - Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker - © Carl Hanser Verlag München Wien 1985
Additional text
From the reviews:
"This book’s strength lies in the connections made between different theories like classical mechanics, thermodynamics, relativity theory, and so forth. … The book attempts to outline a program for a unified world theory similar to string theory. … A very stimulating book. Summing Up: Recommended. Graduate students through professionals." (O. Boser, CHOICE, Vol. 44 (11), July, 2007)
"Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker is certainly one of the most distinguished German physicists and philosophers of the 20th century … . The Structure of Physics should be of value to anybody with interests in physics, its history, or its philosophy, since it contains far more than the particular focus on the ur theory … . The hard cover book is nicely edited following Springer’s high-quality standards." (Roland Carchon, Physicalia Magazine, Vol. 29 (4), 2007)
"The present book contains an overview of von Weizsäcker’s considered thoughts on a widerange of basic aspect of physics … . It will be a valuable addition to libraries since it records the mature views and perspectives of a figure who walked at the centre of the mid-century stage of physics … . The book is certainly very thought-provoking and many of its sections are well worth careful study. It is good to have this material made available to a broader readership." (Peter Bussey, Contemporary Physics, Vol. 48 (3), 2007)
Report
From the reviews:
"This book's strength lies in the connections made between different theories like classical mechanics, thermodynamics, relativity theory, and so forth. ... The book attempts to outline a program for a unified world theory similar to string theory. ... A very stimulating book. Summing Up: Recommended. Graduate students through professionals." (O. Boser, CHOICE, Vol. 44 (11), July, 2007)
"Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker is certainly one of the most distinguished German physicists and philosophers of the 20th century ... . The Structure of Physics should be of value to anybody with interests in physics, its history, or its philosophy, since it contains far more than the particular focus on the ur theory ... . The hard cover book is nicely edited following Springer's high-quality standards." (Roland Carchon, Physicalia Magazine, Vol. 29 (4), 2007)
"The present book contains an overview of von Weizsäcker's considered thoughts on a widerange of basic aspect of physics ... . It will be a valuable addition to libraries since it records the mature views and perspectives of a figure who walked at the centre of the mid-century stage of physics ... . The book is certainly very thought-provoking and many of its sections are well worth careful study. It is good to have this material made available to a broader readership." (Peter Bussey, Contemporary Physics, Vol. 48 (3), 2007)
