A New Foundation of Physical Theories

Written in the tradition of G. Ludwig's groundbreaking works, this book aims to clarify and formulate more precisely the fundamental ideas of physical theories. By introducing a basic descriptive language of simple form, in which it is possible to formulate recorded facts, ambiguities of physical theories are avoided as much as possible. In this approach the field of physics that should be described by a theory is determined by basic concepts only, i.e. concepts that can be explained without a theory.

In this context the authors introduce a new concept of idealization and review the process of discovering new concepts. They believe that, when the theories are formulated within an axiomatic basis, solutions can be found to many difficult problems such as the interpretation of physical theories, the relations between theories as well as the introduction of physical concepts.

The book addresses both physicists and philosophers of science and should encourage the reader to contribute to the understanding of the lasting core of physical knowledge about the real structures of the world.

A revision and expansion of G. Ludwig's groundbreaking work on fundamental concepts of physical theories.

G. Ludwig's deep insights into the fundamental ideas behind physical ideas now in English.

Clarified and more precisely formulated.

Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

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(translation) I was interested by the development of a new edition of the book [1] Die Grundstrukturen einer physikalischen Theorie. This has been possible, in spite of my old age, thanks to the contributions of Dr. G. Thurler. Without his indefatigable support and his essential and fundamental propositions, this new edition would not have been possible. The new edition clari?es and formulates more precisely the fundamental ideasofphysicaltheoriesinordertoavoidasmuchaspossibleanyambiguities. One begins theoretical physics with concepts that can be explained wi- out theories. Later, one introduces other concepts by theories known as pre-theories. Thus it does not make sense to introduce concepts such as state without a pre-theory. The ?eld of physics is thus determined by the basic concepts introduced without the use of pre-theories. Also, it does not make sense to speak about the position and speed of an electron at a ?xed time. Reality is not however only the reality which is described by physical concepts. Thus, for example, colors,tones, joy, hate, and love are not physical concepts. But the demarcation of the physical concepts, and thus the demarcation of the ?eld of physics makes it possible to know more clearly, and thus to describemoreclearlyinthe future,the structureof realitybeyondthe domain ofphysics.The?eldoflifeandnotthatofdeathshouldbethegoalofmankind. Thus, I hope that this book can also become another small step for life.

Résumé

Aus den Rezensionen:

"... die wesentlich umgearbeitete und englische Neuausgabe ... Die Beziehung zwischen Wirklichkeit und Theorie wird sehr detailliert beschrieben ... Eher noch detaillierter fällt die Analyse der theoretischen Struktur aus ... Dabei ist das ganze Projekt faszinierend, ein mutiges und überzeugendes Unterfangen, mit viel Fachverstand und genialen Gedanken angegangen. Der Leser muss sich allerdings auf ein gutes Pensum harter Arbeit einstellen, die sich aber lohnt. Ich kann das Buch jedem an Grundlagen der Physik und an ernsthafter Wissenschaftstheorie Interessierten nur empfehlen." (Michael Drieschner, in: Physik Journal, 2009, Vol. 8, Issue 2, S. 43 f.)

"... Das Buch bildet eine Art Summe der wissenschaftstheoretischen Überlegungen Günther Ludwigs ... Die Autoren ... gehen von einer Grund-Sprache ... aus, die festgestellte Tatsachen in einfachen genormten Sätzen ausdrückt. ... Insgesamt ist Ludwigs Theorie ein faszinierendes, vielversprechende Unternehmen, in das man sich mit diesem Buch einführen lassen kann. Der Leser muß sich allerdings darauf einrichten, daß ihm dabei ein gutes Pensum harter Arbeit bevorsteht. Aber es lohnt sich. Ich kann das jedem an Grundlagen der Physik und an ernsthafter Wissenschaftstheorie Interessierten nur empfehlen." (M. Drieschner, in: Journal for General Philsophy of Science, 2008, Vol. 39, S. 403 ff.)

Contenu
A New Foundation of Physical Theories.- Reality.- Building of a Mathematical Theory.- From Reality to Mathematics.- Species of Structures and Axiomatic Basis of a PT.- Relations Between Various PTs.- Real and Possible as Physical Concepts.- Examples of Simple Theories.- A Description of the Surface of the Earth, or of a Round Table.- A Simplified Example of Newton's Mechanics.- The Structure of the Human Species.