Holistic Inspiration of Physics

The Underground History of Electromagnetic Theory

Häftad, Engelska, 1999

519 kr

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While many books have claimed parallels between modern physics and Eastern philosophy, none have dealt with the historical influences of both Chinese traditional thought and non-mechanistic, holistic western thought on the philosophies of the scientists who developed electromagnetic field theory. In The Holistic Inspirations of Physics, R. Valentine Dusek asks: to what extent is classical field theory a product of organic and holistic philosophies and frameworks?Electromagnetic theory has been greatly influenced by holistic worldviews, Dusek posits, and he highlights three alternative scientific systems that made the development of electromagnetic theory possible: medieval Chinese science, Western Renaissance occultism, and the German romantic traditions. He situates these "alternative" approaches in their social context and background, and traces their connection with components of “accepted” physical science in relation to a number of social movements and philosophical theories.Readers will learn of specific contributions made by these alternative traditions, such as the Chinese inventing the compass and discovering the earth's magnetic field and magnetic declination. Western alchemical ideas of active forces and "occult" influences contributed to Newton's theory of gravitation force as action at a distance, rather as a result of purely mechanical collisions and contact action.Dusek also describes the extent to which women's culture supplied (often without credit) the philosophical background ideas that were absorbed into mainstream field theory.

Produktinformation

Utgivningsdatum1999-08-01
Mått152 x 229 x 23 mm
Vikt739 g
FormatHäftad
SpråkEngelska
Antal sidor298
FörlagRutgers University Press
ISBN9780813526355

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Preface and Acknowledgments1 Introduction: Historical Undergrounds, Holistic Theories, and Classical PhysicsPART I The Contributions of Chinese Science and Technology2 Discovery of the Compass and Magnetic Declination3 Major Movements of Chinese Thought4 Social Background of Organismic Thought: "China" in Three Classic Sociologies5 Interlude: Peter the Wayfarer and the Western Reception of the CompassPART II Renaissance Occultism6 Occultism and the Rise of Early Modern Science7 Occultism and the Social Background of Science: Peasants, Artisans, and Women8 Gilbert and Early Modern Theories of the Magnet9 Kepler and the Magnetic Force Model of the Solar System10 Newton: Alchemy and Active Principles11 Interlude: Leibniz and ChinaPART III Romantic Philosophy of Nature and Electromagnetism12 Philosophical Background of Romantic Science13 Social Background to Romanticism: Revolution and Women14 Schelling's Romantic Philosophy of Nature15 Coleridge: Poet of Nature16 Orsted: Romanticism, Nature Philosophy, and the Discovery of Electromagnetism17 Davy, Faraday, and Field Theory18 Maxwell, Field Theory, and Mechanical Models19 Conclusion: Metaphysics of Science--Creation and JustificationNotesSelected BibliographyIndex