Bij Cambrigde University Press verscheen onlangs Einstein's Unification, het eerste boek van Jeroen van Dongen, als bètaredacteur verbonden aan De Gids en als wetenschapshistoricus werkzaam aan de Universiteit Utrecht. Uit de catalogus:
ISBN-13: 9780521883467, gebonden, 224 pagina's, 21 illustraties,
P 50,-
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 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.
• The first book to approach the subject of Einstein's study of unified field theory from both historical and philosophical perspectives • Provides a coherent view of Einstein's development as a scientist, highlighting the link between the general theory of relativity and unified field theory • Discusses topics of Einstein's science that have not yet been covered in a single book
Dr. Jeroen van Dongen
