1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910789694803321

Autore

Brown James Robert

Titolo

The laboratory of the mind : thought experiments in the natural sciences / / James Robert Brown

Pubbl/distr/stampa

New York : , : Routledge, , 2011

ISBN

1-136-94377-3

1-136-94378-1

1-283-24220-6

9786613242204

0-203-84779-2

Edizione

[2nd ed.]

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (241 p.)

Collana

Philosophical issues in science. The laboratory of the mind

Disciplina

530.01

Soggetti

Physics - Philosophy

Thought experiments

Quantum theory

Science - Methodology

Rationalism

Knowledge, Theory of

Philosophical issues in science

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Note generali

Description based upon print version of record.

Nota di bibliografia

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Nota di contenuto

Cover; The Laboratory of the Mind Thought Experiments in theNatural Sciences; copyright; Contents; Preface and Acknowledgements(First Edition); Preface (to the Second Edition); 1. Illustrations from the laboratory of the mind; 2. The structure of thought experiments; 3. Counter thought experiments; 4. Mathematical thinking; 5. Seeing the laws of nature; 6. The development of inertial motion; 7. Einstein's brand of verificationism; 8. Quantum mechanics: a Platonic interpretation; Afterword; Notes; Bibliography; Index

Sommario/riassunto

Newton's bucket, Einstein's elevator, Schrödinger's cat - these are some of the best-known examples of thought experiments in the natural sciences. But what function do these experiments perform? Are they really experiments at all? Can they help us gain a greater understanding



of the natural world?  How is it possible that we can learn new things just by thinking?   In this revised and updated new edition of his classic text The Laboratory of the Mind, James Robert Brown continues to defend apriorism in the physical world. This edition features two new chapters, one on "coun