Ebook: Space, Time, and Mechanics: Basic Structures of a Physical Theory

In connection with the "Philosophy of Science" research program conducted by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft a colloquium was held in Munich from 18th to 20th May 1919. This covered basic structures of physical theories, the main emphasis being on the interrelation of space, time and mechanics. The present volume contains contributions and the results of the discussions. The papers are given here in the same order of presentation as at the meeting. The development of these "basic structures of physical theories" involved diverging trends arising from different starting points in philosophy and physics. In order to obtain a clear comparison between these schools of thought, it was appropriate to concentrate discussion on geometry and chronology as the common foundation of classical and quantum mechanics. As a rather simple and "Tell prepared field of study, geochronometry seemed suited to analysing these mutually exclusive positions. vii D. Mayr and G. Sussmann (eds.), Space, Time, and Mechanics, vii. Copyright © 1983 by D. Reidel Publishing Company. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The editors gratefully appreciate the sponsorship of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft and the cooperation of the authors and publisher. It is also a pleasure to thank Frau M.-L. Grohmann and Frau I. Thies for their organisational and especially Frau B. Grund for typing and clerical work. D. MAYR G. SUSSMANN 1982 University of Munich viii INTRODUCTION The distinct positions present at the symposium may be roughly divided into three schools that differ in their philosophical interpretation of physics and their meta- .. . ~ .

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Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-xv
Is the Geometry of Physical Space a form of Pure Sensible Intuition? a Technical Construction? or a Structure of Reality?....Pages 1-20
Relations Between the Galilei—Invariant and the Lorentzinvaria?t Theories of Collisions....Pages 21-37
Geometrie und Physik....Pages 39-86
Kinematics as a Theory of Coincidences....Pages 87-104
A Constructive-Axiomatic Approach to Physical Space and Spacetime Geometries of Constant Curvature by the Principle of Reproducibility....Pages 105-123
Invariance and Covariance....Pages 125-147
The Origin and Role of Invariance in Classical Kinematics....Pages 149-169
The Significance of Physical Invariance Principles for the Measurement of Space - Time Quantities....Pages 171-194
Outline of a Theory of System-Times....Pages 195-224
Newton AB Omni Naevo Vindicatus (1)....Pages 225-240
Back Matter....Pages 241-253

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Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-xv
Is the Geometry of Physical Space a form of Pure Sensible Intuition? a Technical Construction? or a Structure of Reality?....Pages 1-20
Relations Between the Galilei—Invariant and the Lorentzinvaria?t Theories of Collisions....Pages 21-37
Geometrie und Physik....Pages 39-86
Kinematics as a Theory of Coincidences....Pages 87-104
A Constructive-Axiomatic Approach to Physical Space and Spacetime Geometries of Constant Curvature by the Principle of Reproducibility....Pages 105-123
Invariance and Covariance....Pages 125-147
The Origin and Role of Invariance in Classical Kinematics....Pages 149-169
The Significance of Physical Invariance Principles for the Measurement of Space - Time Quantities....Pages 171-194
Outline of a Theory of System-Times....Pages 195-224
Newton AB Omni Naevo Vindicatus (1)....Pages 225-240
Back Matter....Pages 241-253
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