Theories of Everything: The Quest for Ultimate Explanation - Hardcover

Barrow, John D.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0198539282 ISBN 13: 9780198539285

Publisher: Clarendon Press, 1991

Synopsis

The ultimate questions of how, when, and why the Universe came into being have fascinated thinkers for centuries. What have traditionally been philosophical and theological problems are now bing addressed by the mathematical speculations of a new generation of scientists, who have begun to take seriously the idea that there is an ultimate theory of the physical world which it is within our power to discover. If such a theory were discovered it would reveal the complete form of the most basic Laws of Nature, from which all others follow as particular simple cases. This book lays out and examines the different ingredients that are required to claim a full understanding of the physical universe that we observe, and shows how their status is being dramatically changed in modern physics and what aspects of them can or cannot be explained by a "Theory of Everything". Modern physicists believe they have stumbled upon a key which unlocks the mathematical secret at the heart of the Universe: a discovery that points towards a "Theory of Everything" - a single all-embracing pricture of the Laws of Nature from which the inevitability of all things seen must follow with unimpeachable logic. Is this confidence well-founded? Will our scientific theories one day tell us everything that was, is, and is to come about the Universe? These modern "Theories of Everything" claim they will tell us everything about the Universe in which we live. But will they?

About this title

Review:

"An exhilarating journey that cuts across a vast terrain of conceptual landmarks: from physics to metaphysics, mathematics to philosophy, and from mythology to theology... Without a doubt an important, engaging and highly literate book" (New Scientist)

"Bridges the gab between the research frontiers of theoretical physics and the aspirations of man to understand what is going on" (Times Literary Supplement)

"Engaging and accessible" (Daily Telegraph)

"Theories of Everything is a beautifully written and thoughtful attempt to make sense of this difficult area of enquiry" (Nature)

"What an elegant exposition lies here: not for everyone, to be sure, but for those familiar with astronomer Barrow's rich background in mathematics and in the history and philosophy of science, a treasure of learning and insight" (Kirkus Reviews)

Book Description:

'Its scope is, appropriately, vast' Nature

About this edition

• Publisher: Clarendon Press
• Publication date: 1991
• ISBN 10: 0198539282
• ISBN 13: 9780198539285
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 256