Books 
Philosophy 
Item Code: IDG115by SUNDAR SARUKKAIHardcover (Edition: 2004)INDIAN INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED STUDY, Shimla ISBN 8179860426 Language: English Size: 8.9" X 5.8" Pages: 167 Weight of the Book: 372 gms |
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times since 15th Oct, 2009The ideas of symmetry is one of the most important and pervasive ideas, occurring in disciplines ranging from the sciences to the arts. Symmetry is manifested very widely in the natural world as seen in the intricate shapes, patterns and colours of both inanimate and animate beings. It is a guiding principle in modern physics and is an integral part of many important works in architecture, sculpture, music, painting and so on.
This book discusses some of the essential themes that will help us understand the philosophical foundations of symmetry in all its manifestations. The Philosophical analysis in two parts: metaphysical and phenomenological. The first draws upon metaphysics and considers the relation between symmetry and categories such as objects, form, properties, laws, invariance and change, thereby exhibiting symmetry as an 'essential' properly that inheres in objects and processes. This part also discusses in some detail the metaphysics of groups, which are the mathematical objects that describe symmetry in science.
There is also a significant phenomenological experience of symmetry, which is captured by the use of terms such as balance, unity, simplicity, beauty, boredom and harmony. The phenomenological analysis of symmetry begins with phenomenology of perception, then considers the relation between Gestalt principles of vision and symmetry, and finally addresses the aesthetics of symmetry, which includes a discussion on the relation between beauty and symmetry.
About the Author:
Sundar Sarukkai is a Fellow in the History and Philosophy of Science Unit at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore. He is trained in physics and philosophy and has a PhD from Purdue University, USA. He was a Homi Bhabha Fellow from 1997-99 and Advanced Study, Shimla from 1999-2001. He is the author of Translating the World. Science and Language, published by the University Press of America in 2002. He is a member of the Advisory Board of the International Society for the Arts, Sciences and Technology (ISAST). Currently, he holds a PHISPC Fellowship to complete a book on the relevance of Indian philosophy to contemporary philosophy of science.
| Preface | ix | |
| PART ONE: UNIVERSALITY OF SYMMETRY | ||
| 1 | Symmetry in Nature | 1 |
| 2 | Symmetry of Figures | 4 |
| 3 | Symmetry and Science | 5 |
| 3.1 Broken symmetry and asymmetry | 11 | |
| 3.2 Functions of symmetry in science | 12 | |
| 4 | Symmetry and Groups | 15 |
| 5 | General Symmetry Principles | 17 |
| 6 | Symmetry in Art | 18 |
| 7 | So What is Symmetry? | 21 |
| PART TWO: METAPHYSICS OF SYMMETRY | ||
| 1 | Objects | 25 |
| 1.1 What is an object? | 25 | |
| 1.2 Form and objects | 27 | |
| 1.3 Abstract objects | 29 | |
| 1.4 Shape or symmetry? | 33 | |
| 1.5 Tropes and symmetry | 36 | |
| 1.6 Quantum objects | 38 | |
| 2 | Sets, Groups and Classes | 39 |
| 2.1 Sets and groups: some differences | 39 | |
| 2.2 Classes | 42 | |
| 2.3 Groups and classes | 45 | |
| 2.4 Membership | 49 | |
| 2.5 Singletons and partition of groups | 52 | |
| 2.6 Ontological commitment to groups | 58 | |
| 3 | Change | 62 |
| 3.1 Change and symmetry | 65 | |
| 3.2 Centre of mass and oriented form | 68 | |
| 3.3 Mathematical change | 73 | |
| 3.4 Invariance | 75 | |
| 4 | Property | 80 |
| 4.1 Nature of properties | 83 | |
| 4.2 Role of properties | 86 | |
| 4.3 Symmetry as property | 88 | |
| 4.4 Shape or symmetry? A lesson from physics | 90 | |
| 4.5 Symmetry as first-order property? An analogy from motion | 96 | |
| 5 | Conservation Laws and Conserved Properties | 98 |
| PART THREE: PHENOMENOLOGY AND AESTHETICS OF SYMMETRY | ||
| 1 | Phenomenology of Perception | 107 |
| 2 | Form and Vision | 111 |
| 3 | Symmetry, Form and the gestalt | 113 |
| 3.1 Gestalt laws of perception | 114 | |
| 3.2 Groups and the Gestalt | 115 | |
| 4 | Observing Symmetry | 119 |
| 4.1 Explanation and observation | 121 | |
| 4.2 Invariance vs. independence | 123 | |
| 5 | Symmetry and Aesthetics | 125 |
| 6 | Beauty | 129 |
| 7 | Beauty and Art | 134 |
| 8 | Beauty in Science | 136 |
| 9 | Beauty as Value | 140 |
| 10 | Symmetry and Beauty | 143 |
| References | 159 | |
| Index | 165 | |
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