Doubt and Certainty: The Celebrated Academy Debates on Science, Mysticism, Reality - Softcover

Rothman, Tony; Sudarshan, George

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0738201693 ISBN 13: 9780738201696

Publisher: Perseus Books, 1999

Synopsis

Not since Fritjof Capras The Tao of Physics have physics and philosophy joined together in such a fascinating book.. When physicists and others construct models to explain the phenomena and laws of nature, do those models actually simulate whats really out there in the world, or do they only synthesize the way we think the world is? And how does our cultural upbringing affect the way we think about the world? In this far-reaching yet penetrating book, two world-class physicists, one born and raised in the West, the other in the Far East, examine these and many other intriguing questions not yet resolved by modern scientists. Set in an unusual formata modern-day version of Platos Academy Rothman and Sudarshan delve deep into modern science and eastern philosophy, and come up with some startling insights on the structure of the physical world. Unlike some books that claim to unite physics and mysticism, Doubt and Certainty is a hard-headed examination of these questions. }When scientists and philosophers construct models to explain the phenomena and laws of nature, do those models simulate whats really out there in the world, or do they only represent the languages we use to describe the world? In this far-reaching, thought-provoking book, two world-class physicists from different worldsone born and raised in the West, the other in the Eastexamines some of the most profound questions ever to be investigated by science.Against the background of one of the most imaginative settings ever devised for a science booka fictional modern-day version of Platos AcademyTony Rothman and George Sudarshan, along with an eclectic assortment of students and academics, delve deep into modern physics and Eastern philosophy, and come up with startling insights on the structure of the physical world. To gain these insights, the Academy members must tackle questions such as, How much of the millennium synthesis of science and philosophy is meaningful and how much is pure nonsense? Which New Age trends are compatible with physics? Can we learn anything from parallels between physics and Eastern philosophy?The common thread that runs through the debates is the tension between the seemingly opposite, but really complementary, notions of doubt and certainty: doubt that certain fields of science really succeed in describing the world versus the rock-solid certainty in the predictions of theories like Newtons mechanics and Einsteins relativity. In these intriguing, often funny, sometimes violent, but always stimulating debates, Rothman and Sudarshan cover a wide range of subjects, including cosmology, quantum mechanics, theology, mathematics, complexity, synchronicity, and the past and future. }

About this title

About the Author

Tony Rothman has written fiction, as well as several highly acclaimed science trade books, including A Physicist on Madison Avenue (nominated for the Pulitzer Prize) and Instant Physics. He is professor of physics at Illinois Wesleyan University. George Sudarshan is the distinguished former director of the Center for Particle Theory at the University of Texas―Austin and the coauthor of three physics textbooks. Among his discoveries was the first theory of the weak nuclear force. Tony Rothman has written fiction, as well as several highly acclaimed science trade books, including A Physicist on Madison Avenue (nominated for the Pulitzer Prize) and Instant Physics. He is professor of physics at Illinois Wesleyan University. George Sudarshan is the distinguished former director of the Center for Particle Theory at the University of Texas―Austin and the coauthor of three physics textbooks. Among his discoveries was the first theory of the weak nuclear force.

Edition details

• Publisher: Perseus Books
• Publication date: 1999
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0738201693
• ISBN 13: 9780738201696
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 336