Visible and the Invisible

How do we get an idea from the physical world? There is basically only one possibility, namely the dialogue with nature, i.e. we create a theoretical conception of the world by thinking, and then we check this conception with the help of measuring instruments. In this connection the following question arises: Does there exist for each element of the theory an element-specific deflection at the measuring instrument? In other words, has each element of the theory a counterpart in the...
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How do we get an idea from the physical world? There is basically only one possibility, namely the dialogue with nature, i.e. we create a theoretical conception of the world by thinking, and then we check this conception with the help of measuring instruments. In this connection the following question arises: Does there exist for each element of the theory an element-specific deflection at the measuring instrument? In other words, has each element of the theory a counterpart in the actual reality? If not, then the theory contains metaphysical elements, i.e. elements which have no counterpart in reality. In this book it is argued that there are obviously no theoretical conceptions of the world which are free of metaphysical elements. This is not only valid in connection with matter but also for the conceptions of space and time. The consequences in connection with modern conceptions of the world are outlined.
Contents: "The Observable and the Non-Observable: "ExperienceCosmos As a Collection of Matter in SpaceElements of Quantitative DescriptionWhy Do Planets Move?Summary and Final RemarksMatter and Maxwell TheoryConsequences"Structured Matter: "Elementary MatterConventional Elementary ParticlesThe Connection Between the Theory of Relativity and Quantum TheorySuperstrings and Twistors"Levels of Reality: "Perception: How Does It Work?Pictures of RealityLevels of RealityEverything is in the PictureGeneralizationOverview"Appearance: "Correlations in SpaceExamples of the Principle of Level-Analysis Things at the Levels of Reality"Space and Time: "Possibilities of PortrayalOther Spaces, Other ParticlesSuperstrings and Twistors: Two Alternative World Views?Overview"Outlook: "On the Application of the Principle of Level-AnalysisQuantum Theory of the Principle of Level-AnalysisWhat Does Reality Mean?
Readership: General.
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