Sir Arthur Eddington (1882–1944) was both a key figure in the development of astrophysics during the early part of the twentieth century and a notable philosopher of science. Originally published in 1928, this book contains the substance of the Gifford Lectures which were delivered by Eddington at the University of Edinburgh in January to March 1927. The text discusses the philosophical outcome of fundamental changes in scientific thought related to areas such as the theory of relativity, quantum theory and thermodynamics. This is a highly insightful title that will be of value to anyone with an interest in Eddington, the development of physics and the philosophy of science.
Sir Arthur Eddington (1882–1944) was both a key figure in the development of astrophysics during the early part of the twentieth century and a notable philosopher of science. Originally published in 1935, this book contains the substance of the Messenger Lectures which were delivered by Eddington at Cornell University in April and May 1934. Using as a nucleus material in addresses and lectures given by the author from 1929 onwards, the text discusses a variety of advances in the physical sciences and scientific thought in general. This is a highly insightful title that will be of value to anyone with an interest in Eddington, the development of physics and the philosophy of science.
Sir Arthur Eddington (1882–1944) was both a key figure in the development of astrophysics during the early part of the twentieth century and a notable philosopher of science. Originally published in 1939, this book contains the substance of the course of lectures delivered by Eddington as Tarner Lecturer of Trinity College, Cambridge in the Easter term of 1938. The text discusses the principles of philosophical thought associated with advances in physical science, developing the ideas contained in earlier titles such as The Nature of the Physical World (1928) in line with discoveries in quantum mechanics and group theory. This is a highly insightful title that will be of value to anyone with an interest in Eddington, the development of physics and the philosophy of science.
This classic book, long out of print, investigates the experimental determination of one of the fundamental constants of astrophysics and its significance for astronomy. The equations of general relativity include a constant lambda in their solution. If lambda is non-zero and positive, this represents the existence of a phenomenon of cosmical repulsion. In this book Eddington discussed the implications of this for models of the universe. The book offers a unique sidelight upon the history of ideas and Eddington's artistry. His evident enjoyment of writing and exposition shine through, and astrophysicists and historians of science will find that this reissue throws fascinating light on one of Britain's greatest scientists.
Einstein has succeeded in separating far more completely than hitherto the share of the observer and the share of external nature in the things we see happen. The perception of an object by an observe
This classic book is essential reading for all those interested in the development of modern physics. Sir Arthur Eddington's account of the general theory of relativity, 'without,' as he says in his preface, 'introducing anything very technical in the way of mathematics, physics or philosophy', was first published in the exciting days of 1920 soon after the first objective tests of the theory had demonstrated its validity. The book was at once received with acclamation by reviewers and remains today one of the simplest and most straightforward accounts in print. The reviewer in the Athenaeum described it as 'a masterly book. The arrangement, the vigour and ease of the reasoning, the felicity of illustration, the clear, flexible prose and (we must mention it) the wit, make this book one of the most adequate and engaging attempts at the non-technical exposition of a scientific theory that it has ever been our good fortune to encounter.' This reissue includes a foreword by Sir Hermann
The publication of The Internal Constitution of the Stars by Arthur Eddington in 1926 was a major landmark in the development of modern theoretical astrophysics. Not only did Eddington effectively create the discipline of the structure, constitution, and the evolution of the stars, but he also recognised and established the basic elements of our present understanding of the subject. The influence of the book is indicated by the remark by H. N. Russell in 1945: 'This volume has every claim to be regarded as a masterpiece of the first rank'.
