Explaining Chaos

by Peter Smith

Overview

Chaotic dynamics has been hailed as the third great scientific revolution in physics in this century, comparable to relativity and quantum mechanics. In this book, Peter Smith takes a cool, critical look at such claims. He cuts through the hype and rhetoric by explaining some of the basic mathematical ideas in a clear and accessible way, and by carefully discussing the methodological issues that arise. In particular, he explores the new kinds of explanation of empirical phenomena that modern dynamics can deliver. Explaining Chaos will be compulsory reading for philosophers of science and for anyone who has wondered about the conceptual foundations of chaos theory.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521477475
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	09/24/1998
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	204
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.43(d)

Table of Contents

1. Chaos introduced; 2. Fractal intricacy; 3. Intricacy and simplicity; 4. Predictions; 5. Approximate truth; 6. Universality; 7. Explanation; 8. Worldly chaos; 9. Randomness; 10. Defining chaos.

Editorial Reviews

' … attractively written and should be accessible to many without advanced mathematical ability, it is a book for readers who are interested in what we mean by scientific understanding and in what confidence we can place in the statements of science.' Contemporary Physics

From the Publisher