Inside Versus Outside: Endo-And Exo-Concepts of Observation and Knowledge in Physics, Philosophy and Cognitive Science

by Attilio Stajano

Inside Versus Outside discusses a fundamental problem of the natural sciences, namely, the observation of physical, biological, and cognitive systems and ways in which we gain information about these systems. Is it relevant whether the human observer is himself a part of the system in question? What difference does this make to our representation of the physical world? These difficult questions have occupied scientists and philosophers from Descartes to Bell. In the light of recent advances in quantum mechanics and the theory of dynamical systems, there is good reason to tackle these problems afresh. This book will provide stimulating reading for scientists and philosophers interested in the fundamentals of their trade.

572 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1994