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Realism and relativism in modern physics

Abstract

The standpoint of realism has been widely used to argue in favour of, or against, particular physical theories. An analysis is made of the adequacy of such arguments, taking an argument by Einstein as a starting point.

Some reflexions are given on relativism and invariance. Invariances can be seen as generators of both regularity and paradox in physics.

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Work on this paper was supported by the Swedish Natural Science Research Council (contract no. F-TV 4775-300).

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Åberg, C. Realism and relativism in modern physics. Synthese 89, 41–61 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00413798

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00413798

Keywords

  • Physical Theory
  • Modern Physic