Physics and Philosophy Review

Modern physics, the realm of physics containing relativity and quantum theory, set the scientific world buzzing during the first half of the 20th century.  Since it also allowed the creation of the atomic bomb, the entire world became concerned with the matter.  Werner Heisenberg, who played an important role in the development of modern physics (you know- the Heisenberg uncertainty principle) and won a Nobel Prize for his work, considers the philosophical impact of modern physics in Physics and Philosophy: The Revolution in Modern Science.  This book compares the conceptual understanding of reality through the lenses of quantum physics and major philosophers’ formulations.  

From examining the Greek Atomists’ views to discussing the rise of the natural sciences starting with Descartes, Heisenberg expertly describes the mindset of the ‘pre-modern’ natural sciences.  He then gets into the changes due to understanding the quantum world, where each measurement taken changes the system being observed.  The difficulty of a lack of objectivity, and the controversy in the scientific community over the new facts, is carefully described.  The idea of a cohesive theory within a field and the newer knowledge that even a cohesive system can have limits of applicability is introduced, and the different systems within physics are described.  Similar systems in chemistry and biology are also discussed, with some speculation as to what a complete system could look like.  Towards the end, a discussion of how language interacts with science through the necessity of describing theories in generally-understandable language shows how part of the difficulty of the new knowledge of physics is its apparent lack of connection to everyday life.  The last section of the book relates explicit to the bigger picture in everyday life: the politics of nuclear power.  

The entire text is written very clearly and precisely, but with a density similar to scientific journals and German philosophy.  The insight into the scientific and philosophic debate regarding the interpretation of quantum and relativistic theory are described as only a contemporary can, which is intriguing and very informative of the scientific community’s process, not typically covered in courses.  I would definitely recommend this work to anyone interested in the philosophical underpinnings of the natural sciences and the impact of modern physics on the scientific community.  Although this would be an easier read with a good knowledge of philosophy and physics, I enjoyed it without any formal classes in philosophy or quantum theory.  Physics and Philosophy will expand your mind and your understanding of the foundations of scientific inquiry; it is definitely worth the two readings needed to grasp it all.