St Andrews Research Repository

St Andrews University Home
View Item 
  •   St Andrews Research Repository
  • Mathematics & Statistics (School of)
  • Mathematics & Statistics Theses
  • View Item
  •   St Andrews Research Repository
  • Mathematics & Statistics (School of)
  • Mathematics & Statistics Theses
  • View Item
  •   St Andrews Research Repository
  • Mathematics & Statistics (School of)
  • Mathematics & Statistics Theses
  • View Item
  • Login
JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

Sir Arthur Eddington and the foundations of modern physics

Thumbnail
View/Open
IanDurhamPhDThesis.pdf (63.03Mb)
Date
2005
Author
Durham, Ian T.
Metadata
Show full item record
Altmetrics Handle Statistics
Abstract
In this dissertation I analyze Sir Arthur Eddington's statistical theory as developed in the first six chapters of his posthumously published Fundamental Theory. In particular I look at the mathematical structure, philosophical implications, and relevancy to modern physics. This analysis is the only one of Fundamental Theory that compares it to modern quantum field theory and is the most comprehensive look at his statistical theory in four decades. Several major insights have been made in this analysis including the fact that he was able to derive Pauli's Exclusion Principle in part from Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle. In addition the most profound general conclusion of this research is that Fundamental Theory is, in fact, an early quantum field theory, something that has never before been suggested. Contrary to the majority of historical reports and some comments by his contemporaries, this analysis shows that Eddington's later work is neither mystical nor was it that far from mainstream when it was published. My research reveals numerous profoundly deep ideas that were ahead of their time when Fundamental Theory was developed, but that have significant applicability at present. As such this analysis presents several important questions to be considered by modern philosophers of science, physicists, mathematicians, and historians. In addition it sheds new light on Eddington as a scientist and mathematician, in part indicating that his marginalization has been largely unwarranted.
Type
Thesis, PhD Doctor of Philosophy
Collections
  • Mathematics & Statistics Theses
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/10023/12933

Items in the St Andrews Research Repository are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.

Advanced Search

Browse

All of RepositoryCommunities & CollectionsBy Issue DateNamesTitlesSubjectsClassificationTypeFunderThis CollectionBy Issue DateNamesTitlesSubjectsClassificationTypeFunder

My Account

Login

Open Access

To find out how you can benefit from open access to research, see our library web pages and Open Access blog. For open access help contact: openaccess@st-andrews.ac.uk.

Accessibility

Read our Accessibility statement.

How to submit research papers

The full text of research papers can be submitted to the repository via Pure, the University's research information system. For help see our guide: How to deposit in Pure.

Electronic thesis deposit

Help with deposit.

Repository help

For repository help contact: Digital-Repository@st-andrews.ac.uk.

Give Feedback

Cookie policy

This site may use cookies. Please see Terms and Conditions.

Usage statistics

COUNTER-compliant statistics on downloads from the repository are available from the IRUS-UK Service. Contact us for information.

© University of St Andrews Library

University of St Andrews is a charity registered in Scotland, No SC013532.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter