The Routledge Companion to Philosophy of Physics

The most thorough volume of its type, covering most major perspectives accross 54 chapters by leading contributors split into 12 part. Parts 1-7 cover key physical theories (e.g. special relativity; quantum gravity). 8-12 cover shared themes (e.g. explanation; symmetries). Suitable for researchers and students. The Routledge Companion to Philosophy of Physics is a comprehensive and authoritative guide to the state of the art in the philosophy of physics. It comprisess 54 self-contained chapters written by leading philosophers of physics at both senior and junior levels, making it the most thorough and detailed volume of its type on the market – nearly every major perspective in the field is represented.The Companion’s 54 chapters are organized into 12 parts. The first seven parts cover all of the major physical theories investigated by philosophers of physics today, and the last five explore key themes that unite the study of these theories.I. Newtonian MechanicsII. Special RelativityIII. General RelativityIV. Non-Relativistic Quantum TheoryV. Quantum Field TheoryVI. Quantum GravityVII. Statistical Mechanics and ThermodynamicsVIII. ExplanationIX. Intertheoretic RelationsX. SymmetriesXI. MetaphysicsXII. CosmologyThe difficulty level of the chapters has been carefully pitched so as to offer both accessible summaries for those new to philosophy of physics and standard reference points for active researchers on the front lines. An introductory chapter by the editors maps out the field, and each part also begins with a short summary that places the individual chapters in context. The volume will be indispensable to any serious student or scholar of philosophy of physics.