The essential thesis of this book is itself not new, nor even is its usage in science: the ancient notion that we call complementarity goes way back, and Niels Bohr applied the idea to quantum physics and the micro world early in the last century. But never before has the concept been systematically analyzed and elaborated in the way that is done here — both in going far beyond particular patterns like the wave-particle duality, and in extending the thesis to how we observe the world as well. Put in a nutshell, the mission of this work is to demonstrate that complementarity represents the central organizing principle of nature, and as such should also serve as the core of a coherent model of nature.
The main function of the book is to develop an overall conceptual structure that is built around the complementary kernel, and then to apply this framework to a wide range of phenomena, constructs, and theories. Some of the primary topics involve quantum theory (e.g., the uncertainty principle, the wave function, the problem of measurement) and relativity theory (e.g., stasis and motion, space and time, gravity, light), but a great many other subjects are also addressed. In the process, the book ends up necessarily challenging much of the conventional paradigm as being precisely that: a complex set of relatively random conventions, which were devised to deal with a variety of theoretical or phenomenological conundrums that were encountered along the way. The result is to leave us with an array of arbitrary cross sections of nature that are impossible to unify into a consistent framework ... as opposed to a coherent conceptual foundation that was developed in a consistent and logical fashion.
Two later chapters approach the issues more specifically in philosophy of science terms, with the views of Kuhn and Popper (along with many others) being discussed at length. More generally the relationship between science and society is examined, including questions about whether science should be helping us to develop a meaningful framework for understanding the patterns of nature, or whether it is sufficient to mainly provide accurate predictions and better technology.
The book itself is highly readable, lucid in its presentation and rigorous in its argumentation, as well as being tightly woven and smoothly developed. It is a very lively discourse that is generally engaging, often exciting, and occasionally passionate. The writing style is clear and the language straightforward, with technical terms and specialized lingo being kept to a minimum. Plus, all the issues are fully described in the book, so there is no need for the reader to have any prior background knowledge or expertise. At the same time, the work is a very sophisticated treatment that will interest academics and intellectuals in various disciplines like philosophy, sociology, and psychology.
The Complementary Nature of Reality is a bold and provocative work that sharply questions many fundamental premises about the world in which we live.
The theories of modern physics have been extremely successful in helping us to predict the course of physical phenomena with a very high degree of accuracy. We can manipulate and control the world in amazing ways, providing the basis for our advanced technological culture. But our ability to understand nature has not kept pace
— and we still do not have a unified model which brings the various theories and forces together.
This book argues that the key to addressing both these problems is based upon a very old idea, one that was also introduced into the new physics many years ago by the great quantum theory pioneer Niels Bohr. The thesis is called complementarity, and the task here is to transform that concept into a powerful and sophisticated general tool of analysis which can be applied pervasively to all phenomena. Put in a nutshell, the mission of this work is to demonstrate that complementarity represents the central organizing principle of nature — and as such should also serve as the core of a coherent model of nature.
