Physics and our View of the World

Description

One of the central questions of physics is whether or not a theory of everything is possible. Many physicists believe that such a theory might be attainable, a belief that has led to speculation that we might one day "know the mind of God." The philosophical implications of having a blueprint for the Universe are a subject of great debate. In this fascinating book, a group of distinguished physicists and philosophers examine not only the claims of modern physics, but also the impact these claims have on our view of the world. Among the contributors are: Jan Hilgevoord, Gerard 't Hooft, John Barrow, Dennis Dieks, Ernan McMullin, Bas van Fraassen, Paul Feyerabend, Willem Drees, Paul Davies, and Mary Hesse. At a time when many people view science with deep suspicion, this book will be of great interest to anyone wishing to explore the complex relationships that exist between physics and philosophy, theology and ideology.

'the articles are mostly extremely well written and make for enjoyable and stimulating reading. The style is straightforward and without scholarly pedantry and jargon; the writers let the big ideas speak for themselves.' Observatory 'This book has a brief bibliography and a useful index. It is a challenging text, to be recommended to the many who have enjoyed the struggle to follow Stephen Hawking through his Brief History of Time .' Charles Pereira, Tropical Agriculture Newsletter