Physics and Whitehead: Quantum, Process, and Experience(SUNY series in Constructive Postmodern Thought)

Leading scholars explore the connections between quantum physics and process philosophy.

Table of Contents:
Preface Series Introduction Part I. Physics and Whitehead 1 Introduction to Process Thought Philip Clayton 2. Duality without Dualism Timothy E. Eastman 3. Whitehead as Mathematical Physicist Hank Keeton 4. Evidence for Process in the Physical World John A. Jungerman 5. Dialogue for Part I Part II. Order and Emergence 6. Constraints on the Origin of Coherence in Far-from-Equilibrium Chemical Systems Joseph E. Earley Sr. 7. Whitehead's Philosophy and the Collapse of Quantum States Shimon Malin 8. A Historical Reality That Includes Big Bang, Free Will, and Elementary Particles Geoffrey F. Chew 9. Whiteheadian Process and Quantum Theory Henry P. Stapp 10. Dialogue for Part II Part III. Fundamental Processes 11. The Primacy of Asymmetry over Symmetry in Physics Joe Rosen 12. Spacetime and Becoming: Overcoming the Contradiction Between Special Relativity and the Passage of Time Niles Viggo Hansen 13. The Individuality of a Quantum Event: Whitehead's Epochal Theory of Time and Bohr's Framework or Complementarity Yutaka Tanaka 14. Physical Process and Physical Law David Ritz Finkelstein 15. Dialogue for Part III Part IV. Metaphysics 16. Whitehead's Process Philosophy as Scientific Metaphysics Franz G. Riffert 17. Whitehead and the Quantum Experience Jorge Luis Nobo 18. Dialogue for Part IV Glossary Bibliography Contributors Note on Supporting Center Index SUNY Series in Constructive Postmodern Thought

About the Author :
Timothy E. Eastman is Group Manager for Space Science at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center and a consultant in plasma science and technology. Hank Keeton is President of Keeton Construction Corporation and earned his Ph.D. in Philosophy at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley.

Review :
"Eastman and Keeton have edited a remarkable collection of essays by prominent scientists and philosophers influenced by the process philosophy of A. N. Whitehead ... An introduction by the series editor, dialogues at the end of each part of the book, a glossary, bibliography, and an index enhance the quality of this well-produced volume ... Highly recommended." - CHOICE "Without question this book contains some outstanding and state-of-the-art essays on the very significant issue of the relation between Whitehead's philosophy and contemporary physics. This is a truly needed addition to the growing field of process studies and may well enhance the overall intellectual respectability of process thinking for a wide swath of intelligentsia." - George W. Shields, editor of Process and Analysis: Whitehead, Hartshorne, and the Analytic Tradition "What excites me most about this book is the effort of leading physicists to advance their reflections about physics through interaction with philosophy-primarily that of Whitehead. It also suggests that, after a long delay, cutting-edge scientists recognize the need of science for some of Whitehead's seminal ideas." - John B. Cobb Jr., Founding Co-director, Center for Process Studies "This book is full of unexpected insights, new ideas, and useful suggestions. There is also a fascinating juxtaposition of philosophical and scientific viewpoints." - Pete A. Y. Gunter, editor of Creativity in George Herbert Mead