Appearance and Reality

Peter Kosso is Associate Professor in the Department of Philosophy at Northern Arizona University. He is the author of Reading the Book of Nature (1992) and Observability and Observation in Physical Science (1989).

Preface
Introduction
1: Physics and Philosophy
Why This Will Require Both Physics and Philosophy
Standards of Proof
From Physics to Philosophy
Useful Philosophical Concepts
Philosophical Issues
Philosophical Evidence
2: Appearance and Reality
Scientific Observation
The Conceptual Influence
The Physical Influence
Nature as It Is
Philosophical Arguments about Realism
Return to Bohr
3: The Special Theory of Relativity
The Principle of Relativity
Space and Time
Relative and Absolute Properties
The Foundations of the Special Theory of Relativity
Consequences of the Absolute Speed of Light
The Relativity of Simultaneity
Time Dilation
Length Contraction
Mitch's Paradox
Nothing Can Go Faster Than the Speed of Light
Summary of the Special Theory of Relativity
4: The General Theory of Relativity
General Covariance and the Principle of Equivalence
Consequences of General Covariance and the Principle of Equivalence
The Bending of Light
Gravitational Red-shift (Time Dilation)
The Curvature of Spacetime
Mach's Principle
Summary of the General Theory of Relativity
5: Relativity and Realism
Two Separate Questions
The Way Nature Is
How Do We Know the Theory is True?
Summary
6: Quantum Mechanics
Probability, Cause and Effect, and Determinism
Particles and Waves
The State Function, Complementarity, and the Uncertainty Principle
Spin and the EPR Experiment
Bell's Proof
Summary of Quantum Mechanics
7: Quantum Mechanics and Realism
What to Make of Bell's Proof
The Quantum/Classical Distinction
The Copenhagen Interpretation
The Measurement Problem
Alternative Interpretations of Quantum Mechanics
The Many-words Interpretation
The Consciousness Interpretation
It's All Quantum Mechanics
Bohm's Theory
Summary
8: Realistic Realm
Two Kinds of Questions: Metaphysics and Epistemology
The Metaphysical Issue
The Epistemological Issue
It's Not the End of the World
References and Suggested Reading
Philosophical Background
Relativity
Quantum Mechanics
Historical and Biographical Accounts
Primary Sources