(1) Die Methoden der theoretischen Physik (2) Introduction to Theoretical Physics (3) Physics: a Text-book for Colleges (4) Lehrbuch der Physik in elementarer Darstellung

Abstract

IN the older British universities the term natural philosophy is still used to denote one of the main branches of study. In 1747 we find Mr. David Young appointed to be “professor of natural and experimental philosophy” in the United College of St. Salvator and St. Leonard in the University of St. Andrews. In the Scottish universities, applied mathematics fell within the province of the department of natural philosophy. There lies before us an M.A. diploma of the University of Glasgow, dated 1863, signed, amongst others, by Gul. Thomson, Phil. Nat. Prof. There is something to be said for retaining the more sonorous designation natural philosophy, at least for official purposes, in preference to the more compact term physics. It is the science which treats of the general properties of natural bodies. “The philosophy of science,” says Prof. Whitehead, “is the endeavour to formulate the most general character of things observed.” The changes which have taken place in our outlook upon natural phenomena during the first quarter of the present century have been profound, but yet they must be described as evolutionary rather than as revolutionary in character. Not only have there been brilliant experimental discoveries, resulting in entirely new methods of investigation, but also during the same period new theoretical conceptions have been introduced by Planck, Einstein, and Bohr, which have led to much questioning as to the fundamentals of our philosophy. (1) Die Methoden der theoretischen Physik. Von Felix Auerbach. Pp. x + 436. (Leipzig: Akademische Verlagsgesellschaft m.b.H., 1925.) 13 gold marks. (2) Introduction to Theoretical Physics. By Prof. Arthur Haas. Translated from the third and fourth editions by T. Verschoyle. Vol. 1. Pp. xiv + 331. (London, Bombay and Sydney: Constable and Co., Ltd., 1924.) 21s. net. (3) Physics: a Text-book for Colleges. By Prof. Oscar M. Stewart. Pp. viii + 723. (Boston and London: Ginn and Co., 1924.) 17s. 6d. net. (4) Lehrbuch der Physik in elementarer Darstellung. Von Arnold Berliner. Dritte Auflage. Pp. x + 645.(Berlin: Julius Springer, 1924.) 18.60 gold marks.