Einstein

Albert Einstein was the most influential physicist of the 20^th century. What is less well-know is that fundamental philosophical problems, such as concept formation, the role of epistemology in explaining physical theories, observation, and the debates between positivism and realism, played a central role in his thought as a whole.

In this much-needed book, Tom Ryckman demystifies Einstein’s revolutionary theories of time and space and provides a brilliant philosophical introduction to his work and legacy. Beginning with an overview of Einstein’s life and work, he shows how Einstein’s philosophy grew out of an engagement with philosophical movements and philosophers, in particular Neo-Kantianism and logical empiricism and Hume, Kant, Spinoza and Schopenhauer. He also shows how Einstein’s theories of relativity and his objections to quantum theory have in turn shaped the course of twentieth century philosophy of science.

As with all books in the series, Einstein includes a chronology, chapter summaries, annotated further reading and a glossary.

Thomas Ryckman is Professor of Philosophy at Stanford University, USA. He is author of The Reign of Relativity: Philosophy in Physics 1915-1925 (2005).