Series Editors: Dragoman, D., Dragoman, M., Elitzur, A.C., Silverman, M.P., Tuszynski, J., Zeh, H.D.
Springer text:
The books in this collection are devoted to challenging and open problems at
the forefront of modern physics and related disciplines, including philosophical
debates. In contrast to typical research monographs, however, they strive to
present their topics in a manner accessible also to scientifically literate
non-specialists wishing to gain insight into the deeper implications and
fascinating questions involved. Taken as a whole, the series reflects the need
for a fundamental and interdisciplinary approach to modern science. It is
intended to encourage active physicists in all areas to ponder over important
and perhaps controversial issues beyond their own speciality. Extending from
quantum physics and relativity to entropy, time and consciousness -- the
Frontiers Collection will inspire readers to push back the frontiers of their
own knowledge.
Relativity and the Nature of Spacetime
by Vesselin Petkov
Springer 2005, ISBN 3-540-23889-1
Back cover text:
The most important question addressed in this book is "what is the
nature (the ontological status) of spacetime?" or, equivalently, "what is
the dimensionality of the world at the macroscopic level?" The answer to
this question is developed via a thorough analysis of relativistic effects
and explicitly asking whether the objects involved in those effects are
three-dimensional or four-dimensional. This analysis clearly shows that if
the world and the physical objects were three-dimensional, none of the
kinematic relativistic effects and the experimental evidence supporting
them would be possible. The implications of this result for physics,
philosophy, and our entire world view are discussed.
My review:
I was disappointed by this book. It gave a solid argument for the
four-dimensionality of spacetime based on a detailed and competent formal
presentation of special relativity, but it was preaching to the converted
for me. This argument took up the first five chapters, just over half the
book, and would count as a very good doctoral thesis in the philosophy of
physics. But the applicability of the conclusion stands or falls with how
well it fits in with quantum theories, which seem to force us beyond the
deterministic classical world, and with string theories that postulate
additional hidden dimensions. Petkov briefly considers quantum theory in a
thoroughly unsatisfactory sixth chapter and then launches into an equally
unsatisfactory general discussion of scientific methodology. The rest of
the book is devoted to patchy treatments of a few more advanced topics
which I skipped. As I see it, only a quantum multiverse of the sort that
David Deutsch advocates can embed the picture of spacetime that Petkov
advocates into a quantum context. But that introduces so much deeper
philosophical obscurity that it puts any spotlight on special relativity
in the shade.
Information and Its Role in Nature
by J. G. Roederer
Springer 2005. ISBN 3-540-23075-0
Back cover text:
Information and Its Role in Nature presents an in-depth interdisciplinary
discussion of the concept of information and its role in the control of natural
processes. After a brief review of classical and quantum information theory, the
author addresses numerous centralquestions, including: Is information reducible
to the laws of physics and chemistry? Does the Universe, in its evolution,
constantly generate new information? Or are information and
information-processing exclusive attributes of living systems, related to the
very definition of life? If so, what is the role of information in classical and
quantum physics? In what ways does information-processing in the human brain
bring about self-consciousness? Accessible to graduate students and
professionals from all scientific disciplines, this stimulating book will help
to shed light on many controversial issues at the heart of modern science.
My review:
I enjoyed reading this book. It presents a delightfully clear and accurate
overview of the role of information in classical physics, quantum physics, the
evolution of life, and the neurophysics of the brain. The overall argument is
not so much hammered home as suggested and hinted at, so Roederer leaves plenty
of room for a reader to disagree. This is just as well, since I did disagree.
Roederer believes that the concept of information that emerges from the various
branches of physics is insufficient to explain its role in the natural history
of life and mind. In particular, he proposes that meaning and purpose are
integral to information more fully considered, so that meaningful information
helps living beings to achieve their purposes. Unfortunately, the proposal is
useless without a clearer picture of meaning and purpose than the book provides.
These concepts require some very careful philosophical refinement before they
can do serious work in science. in the absence of that refinement, Roederer
succeeds only in making it seem plausible that the concept of information that
emerges in contemporary physics is not yet enough for a full story of life and
mind. On that much I can agree. As to what more we need, I think there is scope
for radical new ideas.
Quo Vadis Quantum Mechanics?
edited by A. Elitzur, S. Dolev, N. Kolenda
Springer 2005. ISBN 3-540-22188-3