Norman Robert Campbell (1880–1949) was an English physicist and philosopher who made a significant contribution to the philosophy of science. In this book, which was first published in 1920, Campbell presents a detailed critical analysis of various areas of physics. Aimed at the advanced reader, with a 'familiarity with all the facts and theories of physics, ancient and modern', the text is divided into two main parts: the first part deals with 'The Propositions of Science' and the second discusses aspects of 'Measurement'. An appendix and detailed index are also included. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in the development of physics and the history of science.
Author(s): Norman Robert Campbell
Edition: 1
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Year: 1920
Language: English
Pages: 570
City: London
Preface
Introduction
The object of the book
Criticism
The value of criticism
The order of criticism
Relation to previous work
Science and metaphysics
Part One - The Propositions Of Science
I The Subject Matter Of Science
Science, mathematics and philosophy
Science and the material world
Selection of material judgements
Evidence for an external world
The criterion of scientific judgements. Universal assent.
Is universal assent obtainable?
Is universal agreement possible? Abnormal sensations.
Judgements for which universal assent can be obtained
Physics and other sciences
Is the criterion of universal assent ultimate?
If universal agreement failed?
II The Nature Of Laws
The general nature of laws
The complexity of laws
Unrecognised laws
Concepts. The expression of laws.
Defining and non-defining properties
All laws are connected
Science and logic
Definitions
III The Nature Of Laws (Contd)
Cause and effect
Do laws assert cause and effect?
Experiments and causes
Is cause and effect a relation of thought?
Are any laws causal? Processes.
The importance of laws
The nature of uniformity
Uniform association. Is it dual?
Uniform association. Is it symmetrical?
Uniform association. Is it transitive?
Nature of fundamental laws
Individual systems
The theoretical criterion of laws
IV The Discovery And Proof Of Laws
Induction
The Canons depend on the Law of Causation
The consequences of this answer are examined
Canons are applied
Induction
The law of causation
The Canons of Induction
Separation of instances
Do the Canons prove anything?
Particular causes
How are laws discovered?
The nature of experiment
Fundamental concepts
Howare laws proved?
Evidential value of repetition
V The Explanation Of Laws
What is generality?
Are there other kinds of explanation?
VI Theories
What I do not mean by a theory
What I do mean by a theory
An example of physical theories
The importance of the analogy
A theory is not a law
The development of theories
A digression on the use of certain words
The main argument resumed. Another type of theory.
Are all "numerical laws" theories?
How theories explain laws
Conclusions. The value of theories.
The value of mathematical theories
The value of mechanical theories
VII Chance And Probability
Chance is the absence of law
Probability. The orthodox definition.
Probability is experimental
Definition of equal probability
Some difficulties
Probability in general
Addition of probabilities
Multiplication of probabilities
Independent events
Criticism of orthodox definition
Probability of causes. The problem.
Probability of causes. Definition.
Probability and knowledge
Coincidences
The theory of chance. Events and trials.
Random distributions
Consequences of the theory
Applications of the theory. Laws.
VIII The Meaning Of Science
Two criteria in science
Truth and meaning
Some historical considerations
Science and imagination
Science and art
IX Science And Philosophy
How is science possible?
Possible explanations of science
These answers are theories
The meaning of theories
Why are the theories unacceptable?
Could such answers be ultimate?
Science and Metaphysics
Scientific reality
Reality is usually theoretical
Reality and appearance
Metaphysical reality
Truth and belief
Absolute and relative truth
Part Two - Measurement
X Fundamental Measurement
Measurement is the assignment of numbers
Numerals and Numbers
Numerals and Order
The relation generating order
Measurement of hardness
Colour cannot be measured
The first conditions for measurement
Density. Derived magnitudes.
Significance of addition
Nature of addition
Physical addition
The principle of measurement
The criteria of addition. The First Law.
Qualities and quantities
The criteria of addition. The Second Law.
Addition and equality
Is the Second Law necessary?
Is the unit the only arbitrary element in measurement?
XI Physical Number
Is number a magnitude?
Enumeration and counting
Is counting experimental?
Choice of unit
Numerals and number
Are Numbers required?
Multiplication
Multiplication as change of unit
XII Fractional And Negative Magnitudes
Fractional magnitudes
The addition of fractional magnitudes
Decimal notation
Fractional number
Negative magnitudes
Is fundamental magnitude unique?
XIII Numerical Laws And Derived Magnitudes
Physical relations expressed by numerical laws
Numerical relations of numerical laws
Are numerical "laws" theories?
The form of a numerical law
The variation of "constants"
Constants and derived magnitudes
Derived and fundamental magnitudes
True and empirical laws
Graphs
The establishment of numerical laws
Interpolation and extrapolation
Arbitrary and true measurement
XIV Units And dimensions
Units of fundamental magnitudes
Numerical laws and changes of units
Formal constants
Units of derived magnitudes
Dimensions
No-dimensional magnitudes
Defined magnitudes
Basic magnitudes
Quasi-derived magnitudes
Derived units
Example of electric charge
The example of volume
Basic magnitudes resumed
Practical units
Natural units
XV The Uses Of Dimensions
The use of dimensions
The "argument from dimensions"
Criticism of the argument
Physical Similarity
The "Principle" of Physical Similarity
The use of dimensional argument
Does the argument apply only to "basic" magnitudes?
The"undetermined constant"
Indeterminate dimensional equations
Other uses of dimensions
Dynamical similarity and graphs
XVI Errors Of Measurement: Methodical Errors
Failure of the laws of addition and equality
Errors of consistency and errors of method
Consequences of error
The judgement of equality
Real magnitudes
The theory of measurement
Examination of the theory
The practice of measurement
Have all magnitudes errors?
XVII Errors Of Measurement: Errors Of Consistency And The Adjustment of Observations
Inconsistent measurements. Complete collections.
Errors of consistency are not errors of measurement
True magnitudes
The object of measurement
Re-statement of the problem
Rule for finding true magnitudes
Systematic error
The theory of errors of inconsistency
The law of errors of method
Proof of the law of errors
Incomplete collections
The "most probable distribution" of errors
The Method of Least Squares
Is the Method of Least Squares right?
The probable error
The weight of observations
The adjustment of derived magnitudes
An alternative method of adjustment
Application of the alternative method
The establishment of numerical laws
The calibration of the standard series
XVIII Mathematical Physics
Measurement and mathematics
The establishment of numerical laws
Numerical laws and mathematical theories
Physical derivatives
Significance of derivatives
Continuity
Essential continuity
Continuity of functions and magnitudes
Continuity and derivatives
Appendix
Time
Space
Motion
Force
Index
