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  • © 2014

Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker: Major Texts in Physics

  • Texts by one of the most important physicists of the 20th century, available in English for the first time
  • Selection of essential texts for use in studies of the history and epistemology of physics
  • Original texts as a source of further discussions on the foundations of quantum mechanics and the structure of physics
  • Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Part of the book series: SpringerBriefs on Pioneers in Science and Practice (BRIEFSPIONEER, volume 22)

Part of the book sub series: Texts and Protocols (BRIEFSTEXTS)

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Table of contents (11 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xii
  2. The Formation of the Planetary System

    • Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker
    Pages 30-43
  3. The History of Nature, Introduction

    • Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker
    Pages 44-52
  4. The Second Law and the Difference Between Past and Future

    • Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker
    Pages 53-61
  5. A Sketch of the Unity of Physics

    • Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker
    Pages 62-73
  6. Quantum Theory

    • Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker
    Pages 74-109
  7. Probability and Abstract Quantum Theory

    • Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker
    Pages 110-129
  8. The Philosophy of Alternatives

    • Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker
    Pages 131-145
  9. Matter and Consciousness

    • Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker
    Pages 146-152
  10. Matter, Energy, Information

    • Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker
    Pages 153-171
  11. Back Matter

    Pages 173-189

About this book

This book presents a collection of texts by the German physicist and philosopher Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker (1912-2007), for use in seminars on the history, epistemology and structure of physics. Most texts appear in English for the first time. Weizsäcker became famous through his works in physics, mainly in the early development of nuclear physics. Later he would also become well known as a philosopher and analyst of contemporary culture. Texts include the original publications of the “Weizsäcker-Bethe formula” of nuclear masses and the “Bethe-Weizsäcker cycle,” which explains the source of energy in the sun; both were developed by Bethe at the same time and independently of Weizsäcker. Further texts deal with Weizsäcker’s explanation of the origin of planets, his explanation of the “time arrow” in Statistical Mechanics and his analyses of Quantum Mechanics and the structure of physics in general.

Editors and Affiliations

  • München, Germany

    Michael Drieschner

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access