Concepts and Principles in Fundamental Physics

Abstract

The aim of this introductory chapter is to outline the main concepts of this study, and to consider the nature of principle thinking in theoretical physics, most especially in quantum physics. After a brief introduction given in Sect. 1.1, Sect. 1.2 first defines the concept of concept, the main vehicle of thinking in theoretical physics. Then, it considers other key concepts of fundamental physics: theory, model, reality and realism, causality, randomness, probability and statistics, and locality. The deeper aspects of these concepts will be addressed throughout this study. The outline offered in this chapter is designed for introductory purposes and for avoiding misunderstandings concerning these concepts as defined by this study (they may be defined otherwise). Sec. 1.3 is devoted to a discussion of the concept of principle and the nature of principle thinking in theoretical physics, taking as its point of departure Einstein’s distinction between principle and constructive theories.