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Physics meets Philosophy
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Physics Meets Philosophy at the Planck Scale: Contemporary Theories in Quantum GravityPhysics Meets Philosophy at the Planck Scale: Contemporary Theories in Quantum Gravity
Buy new: $67.15 / Used from: $38.00
A collection of essays. Excellent discussions of quantum gravity, spin foams, space-time as a topolgical graph. Probably fairly difficult if you do not have a physics background.
The Road to Reality : A Complete Guide to the Laws of the UniverseThe Road to Reality : A Complete Guide to the Laws of the Universe by Roger Penrose
Buy used from: $21.90
1000 pages, heavy on the math and physics - a lovely stroll through QM, GR, spinors, twistors, strings, unconventional ontologies.
The Anthropic Cosmological Principle (Oxford Paperbacks)The Anthropic Cosmological Principle (Oxford Paperbacks) by John D. Barrow
Buy new: $25.60 / Used from: $10.90
A classic. It has some math and physics, but should be readable for a wide audience.
God and the New PhysicsGod and the New Physics by Paul Davies
Buy new: $10.20 / Used from: $0.01
An enjoyable discussion of quantum observers, minds, free will, god, teleology. Davies is a physicist.
Cosmic Evolution: The Rise of Complexity in NatureCosmic Evolution: The Rise of Complexity in Nature by Eric J. Chaisson
Buy new: $21.90 / Used from: $19.75
An elegant view of the evolution of complexity. Good discussion of the 2nd law and of evolution of galaxies, stars, planets, life, minds, civilizations. You need some math and physics.
The Fabric of Reality: The Science of Parallel Universes and Its ImplicationsThe Fabric of Reality: The Science of Parallel Universes and Its Implications by David Deutsch
Buy new: $10.88 / Used from: $4.83
Interesting discussion of evolution, realism/solipsism, Popperian epistemology, emphasizing life as a literal embodiment of knowledge and the future cosmic impacts of life.
The Truth of Science: Physical Theories and RealityThe Truth of Science: Physical Theories and Reality by Roger G. Newton
Buy new: $25.50 / Used from: $3.69
Good reading. The author is a physicist.
The Unconscious Quantum: Metaphysics in Modern Physics and CosmologyThe Unconscious Quantum: Metaphysics in Modern Physics and Cosmology by Victor J. Stenger
Buy new: $26.39 / Used from: $15.75
An excellent overview which argues for skepticism in considering the role of 'mind' (whatever that is) in quantum measurements. Covers Copenhagen interpretation, hidden variables, nonlocality.
The Life of the CosmosThe Life of the Cosmos by Lee Smolin
Buy new: $16.47 / Used from: $9.74
I highly recommend this book. A wonderful discussion of cosmology, space-time, philosophy, and possible evolutionary scenarios for universes.
Infinity and the Mind: The Science and Philosophy of the Infinite (Princeton Science Library)Infinity and the Mind: The Science and Philosophy of the Infinite (Princeton Science Library) by Rudy Rucker
Buy new: $16.47 / Used from: $12.48
A classic. Discusses transfinite numbers, paradoxes, Tarski Truth Theorem, Goedel Incompleteness Theorem, issues of self-reference.
The Shape of Space (Pure and Applied Mathematics)The Shape of Space (Pure and Applied Mathematics) by Jeffrey R. Weeks
Buy new: $30.09 / Used from: $22.99
An interesting discussion of possible topologies for the universe - a wee bit mathematical. Good illustrations. Discusses testability at some length.
From Complexity to Life: On The Emergence of Life and MeaningFrom Complexity to Life: On The Emergence of Life and Meaning
Buy new: $35.00 / Used from: $17.60
A collection of essays on complexity, evolution, autonomous agents, entropy, information theory, and their relevance for the meanings of life.
Cosmic UnderstandingCosmic Understanding by Milton K. Munitz
Buy new: $35.00 / Used from: $1.72
A philosopher looks at cosmology and its impact on our philosophies.
Godel's ProofGodel's Proof by Ernest Nagel
Buy used from: $10.78
Very readable. Not rigorous. If you are aware of the uniqueness of prime factorizations, then you will have no trouble with this.
Speakable and Unspeakable in Quantum MechanicsSpeakable and Unspeakable in Quantum Mechanics by J. S. Bell
Buy used from: $46.75
A classic from John Bell. Truly elegant papers re the philosophical problems of QM. Difficult/impossible to read without a good physics background.
The Comprehensible Cosmos: Where Do the Laws of Physics Come From?The Comprehensible Cosmos: Where Do the Laws of Physics Come From? by Victor J. Stenger
Buy new: $21.16 / Used from: $11.90
Quite readable. Accessible to non-math readers, with supplements for those who need the math.
The Nature of Space and TimeThe Nature of Space and Time by Stephen Hawking
Buy new: $13.57 / Used from: $8.58
A lovely book, but tough sledding if you don't have some basic knowledge (eg, GR metrics, thermo, basic QM, twistors).
Three Roads to Quantum GravityThree Roads to Quantum Gravity by Lee Smolin
Buy new: $11.66 / Used from: $1.25
Smolin takes on some very interesting issues: quantum measurement, the universe as processes (not things), areal density of information, spin networks, etc. Fairly general, no math.
Beyond Measure: Modern Physics, Philosophy, and the Meaning of Quantum TheoryBeyond Measure: Modern Physics, Philosophy, and the Meaning of Quantum Theory by Jim Baggott
Buy new: $63.00 / Used from: $44.98
Good discussion of quantum phenomena, measurement, possible ontologies.
The Elegant Universe: Superstrings, Hidden Dimensions, and the Quest for the Ultimate TheoryThe Elegant Universe: Superstrings, Hidden Dimensions, and the Quest for the Ultimate Theory by Brian Greene
Buy new: $10.88 / Used from: $1.89
An excellent non-mathematical discussion of string theory and its development.
The Fabric of the Cosmos: Space, Time, and the Texture of RealityThe Fabric of the Cosmos: Space, Time, and the Texture of Reality by Brian Greene
Buy new: $19.77 / Used from: $3.72
An excellent overview of current thinking. Well written.
The End of Time: The Next Revolution in PhysicsThe End of Time: The Next Revolution in Physics by Julian Barbour
Buy new: $16.47 / Used from: $4.44
A physicist looks at time. Does time flow, or is it discrete? Aimed at the layman.
Impossibility: The Limits of Science and the Science of LimitsImpossibility: The Limits of Science and the Science of Limits by John D. Barrow
Buy new: $33.54 / Used from: $6.02
Fairly light reading. Discusses limits to mathematical and physical knowledge.
Introductory Readings in the Philosophy of ScienceIntroductory Readings in the Philosophy of Science by E. D. Klemke
Buy new: $17.43 / Used from: $10.75
A decent collection of essays in the philosophy of science. Relatively low information density.
The Character of Physical Law (Messenger Lectures, 1964)The Character of Physical Law (Messenger Lectures, 1964) by Richard Feynman
Buy new: $11.53 / Used from: $3.13
Vintage Feynman, aimed at a general audience.