Einstein's unification

Why did Einstein tirelessly study unified field theory for more than 30 years? In this book, the author argues that Einstein believed he could find a unified theory of all of nature's forces by repeating the methods he thought he had used when he formulated general relativity. The book discusse...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Dongen, Jeroen van
Format: eBook
Language:English
Published: Cambridge Cambridge University Press 2010
Subjects:
Online Access:
Collection: Cambridge Books Online - Collection details see MPG.ReNa
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245 0 0 |a Einstein's unification  |c Jeroen van Dongen 
260 |a Cambridge  |b Cambridge University Press  |c 2010 
300 |a x, 213 pages  |b digital 
505 0 |a 1. Formulating the gravitational field equations -- 2. On the method of theoretical physics -- 3. Unification and field theory -- 4. Experiment and experience -- 5. The method as directive: semivectors -- 6. Unification in five dimensions -- 7. The method and the quantum -- Conclusion -- Bibliography -- Index 
600 1 4 |a Einstein, Albert / 1879-1955 
653 |a General relativity (Physics) / History 
653 |a Quantum theory / Philosophy 
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520 |a Why did Einstein tirelessly study unified field theory for more than 30 years? In this book, the author argues that Einstein believed he could find a unified theory of all of nature's forces by repeating the methods he thought he had used when he formulated general relativity. The book discusses Einstein's route to the general theory of relativity, focusing on the philosophical lessons that he learnt. It then addresses his quest for a unified theory for electromagnetism and gravity, discussing in detail his efforts with Kaluza-Klein and, surprisingly, the theory of spinors. From these perspectives, Einstein's critical stance towards the quantum theory comes to stand in a new light. This book will be of interest to physicists, historians and philosophers of science