"Only in the course of this investigation may we hope to uncover the true function of thinking in physics. In any case, in even the simplest parts of physical science many conceptual distinctions lie hidden, whether we speak of phenomena or effects. Who would deny that the rainbow is a single thing rather than merely the play of refraction and dispersion summed over countless drops?" --
Georg Unger
Basic Concepts of Modern Physics
is an essential introduction for all those who are interested in gaining a better understanding of modern physics. In this unique text, Georg Unger provides clear descriptions of the conceptual bases of twentieth-century physics, including quantum mechanics, particles, and relativity theory, as well as other aspects relating to key physical concepts to phenomena.
Recognizing that quantum mechanical phenomena occur at a boundary between the experienced world and a concurrent world of "subnature" that is not perceptible to the senses, Dr. Unger provides a radical, non-reductionist concept of modern physics that is open to spiritual understanding.
"We should go into a short contemplation of certain habits of thinking and ask: What expresses itself in this adherence to the nineteenth-century idea of matter? To say it radically--and thereby naturally be open to misunderstanding--it is a weakness of thinking characteristic of our times." --
This book is a translation from German of
Grundbegriffe der modernen Physik Quanten, Teilchen, Relativität: Vom Bilden physikalischer Begriffe - Teil III
(Verlag Freies Geistesleben, 1967). An earlier English edition was published as
Forming Concepts in Physics
(Parker Courtney Press, 1995). COVER MAGES:
Albert Einstein
(1879-1955) in1921, by Ferdinand Schmutzer;
Neils Bohr
(1885-1962) in 1925, by Bettmann;
Paul Dirac
(1902-1984) by Emilio Segrè, Visual Archives, W. F. Meggers Gallery of Nobel Laureates Collection, American Institute of Physics
,
College Park, MD;
Max Planck
(1858-1947), Bundesarchiv, Koblenz, Germany.