Approaches to Fundamental Physics [electronic resource] : An Assessment of Current Theoretical Ideas / edited by Ion-Olimpiu Stamatescu, Erhard Seiler.

– The Many-Fold Way of Contemporary High Energy Theoretical Physics -- Elementary Particle Theory -- The Standard Model of Particle Physics -- Beyond the Standard Model -- Quantum Field Theory -- Quantum Field Theory: Where We Are -- General Relativity Theory -- General Relativity -- Remarks on the Notions of General Covariance and Background Independence -- Quantum Gravity -- Why Quantum Gravity? -- The Canonical Approach to Quantum Gravity: General Ideas and Geometrodynamics -- Loop and Spin Foam Quantum Gravity: A Brief Guide for Beginners -- Loop Quantum Gravity: An Inside View -- Quantum Einstein Gravity: Towards an Asymptotically Safe Field Theory of Gravity -- String Theory -- String Theory: An Overview -- Cosmology -- Dark Energy.

This book presents contributions on particle theory, quantum field theory, general relativity, quantum gravity, string theory and cosmology. These represent the outcome of numerous discussions, taking place among the authors over a period of several years, about the research landscape of present-day fundamental theoretical physics. Indeed, the resultant book documents their attempt, out of their respective and highly specialized scientific positions, to find a way of communicating about methods, achievements and promises of the different approaches which shape the development of this field. It is therefore also an attempt to elucidate the connections between these approaches, and present them not as disjoint ventures but rather as facets of a common quest for understanding. Readers interested in fundamental approaches of theoretical physics will find this book highly stimulating and enlightening.