Time: A Very Short Introduction - Paperback
$12.99
Skip to product information
Time: A Very Short Introduction - Paperback
$12.99
Shipping calculated at checkout.
by Jenann Ismael (Author)
What is time? What does it mean for time to pass? Is it possible to travel in time? What is the difference between the past and future? Until the work of Newton, these questions were purely topics of philosophical speculation. Since then we've learned a great deal about time, and its study has moved from a subject of philosophical reflection to instead became part of the subject matter of physics.
This Very Short Introduction introduces readers to the current physical understanding of the direction of time, from the Second Law of Thermodynamics to the emergence of complexity and life. Jenann Ismael charts the line of development in physical theory from Newton, via Einstein's Theory of Relativity, to the current day. Einstein's innovations led to a vision of time very different from the familiar time of everyday sense. In this new vision, time is one of the dimensions in which the universe is extended alongside the spatial dimensions. The universe appears as a static block of events, in which there is no more a difference between past and future than there is between east and west. Discussing the controversy and philosophical confusion which surrounded the reception of this new vision, Ismael also covers the contemporary mixture of statistical mechanics, cognitive science, and phenomenology that point the way to reconciling the familiar time of everyday sense with the vision of time presented in Einstein's theories. bVery Short Introductionsb: Brilliant, Sharp, Inspiring /b ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Author Biography
Jenann Ismael, Professor of Philosophy, Columbia University
Jenann Ismael is a Professor of Philosophy at Columbia University, Affiliate of the Zuckerman Institute, and member of FQXi. She taught at Stanford University and the University of Arizona before coming to Columbia. Ismael has held fellowships at the National Humanities Center, and the Center for Advanced Study in Behavioral Sciences at Stanford, and a Queen Elizabeth II fellowship at the Centre for Time in Sydney. Her work has been supported by the Templeton Foundation, the Mellon Foundation, NEH, and the Foundational Questions Institute. She is the author of Essays on Symmetry (2001); The Situated Self (2007); and How Physics Makes Us Free (2016).
Number of Pages: 144
Dimensions: 0.4 x 6.5 x 4.1 IN
Publication Date: January 03, 2022
Details
This product is crafted with quality materials to ensure durability and performance. Designed with your convenience in mind, it seamlessly fits into your everyday life.
Shipping & Returns
We strive to process and ship all orders in a timely manner, working diligently to ensure that your items are on their way to you as soon as possible.
We are committed to ensuring a positive shopping experience for all our customers. If for any reason you wish to return an item, we invite you to reach out to our team for assistance, and we will evaluate every return request with care and consideration.
