THE FIRST MAJOR WORK IN NEARLY A DECADE BY ONE OF THE WORLD'S GREAT THINKERS--A MARVELOUSLY CONCISE BOOK WITH NEW ANSWERS TO THE ULTIMATE QUESTIONS OF LIFE When and how did the universe begin? Why are we here? Why is there something rather than nothing? What is the nature of reality? Why are the laws of nature so finely tuned as to allow for the existence of beings like ourselves? And, finally, is the apparent "grand design" of our universe evidence of a benevolent creator who set things in motion--or does science offer ...
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THE FIRST MAJOR WORK IN NEARLY A DECADE BY ONE OF THE WORLD'S GREAT THINKERS--A MARVELOUSLY CONCISE BOOK WITH NEW ANSWERS TO THE ULTIMATE QUESTIONS OF LIFE When and how did the universe begin? Why are we here? Why is there something rather than nothing? What is the nature of reality? Why are the laws of nature so finely tuned as to allow for the existence of beings like ourselves? And, finally, is the apparent "grand design" of our universe evidence of a benevolent creator who set things in motion--or does science offer another explanation? The most fundamental questions about the origins of the universe and of life itself, once the province of philosophy, now occupy the territory where scientists, philosophers, and theologians meet--if only to disagree. In their new book, Stephen Hawking and Leonard Mlodinow present the most recent scientific thinking about the mysteries of the universe, in nontechnical language marked by both brilliance and simplicity. In The Grand Design they explain that according to quantum theory, the cosmos does not have just a single existence or history, but rather that every possible history of the universe exists simultaneously. When applied to the universe as a whole, this idea calls into question the very notion of cause and effect. But the "top-down" approach to cosmology that Hawking and Mlodinow describe would say that the fact that the past takes no definite form means that we create history by observing it, rather than that history creates us. The authors further explain that we ourselves are the product of quantum fluctuations in the very early universe, and show how quantum theory predicts the "multiverse"--the idea that ours is just one of many universes that appeared spontaneously out of nothing, each with different laws of nature. Along the way Hawking and Mlodinow question the conventional concept of reality, posing a "model-dependent" theory of reality as the best we can hope to find. And they conclude with a riveting assessment of M-theory, an explanation of the laws governing us and our universe that is currently the only viable candidate for a complete "theory of everything." If confirmed, they write, it will be the unified theory that Einstein was looking for, and the ultimate triumph of human reason. A succinct, startling, and lavishly illustrated guide to discoveries that are altering our understanding and threatening some of our most cherished belief systems, The Grand Design is a book that will inform--and provoke--like no other. From the Hardcover edition.
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May have light surface scratches. Condition of box or case may vary. Audiobook. Fairly worn, but readable and intact. If applicable: Dust jacket, disc or access code may not be included.
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Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
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Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
The way I interpret this book, we are not even close to an overall theory about the physical world around us. In fact, according to authors Stephen Hawking and Leonard Mlodinow, there may be many other universes, (10 to the 300th power). And, they may not play by the same scientific rules as our universe does. That is something to ponder.
This book is very well illustrated, with color prints and cartoons. It is also set up for the lay reader, (as much as any book on science can be); but it will still leave you scratching your head if you are not that familiar with the material. But if you want the truth you should get it straight from the expert?s mouth, (and Mr. Hawking is very qualified in that regard).
There is no way to dumb-down quantum mechanics or alternate histories, it is either take-it-or-leave it. When I decide to tackle a book like this I just grab a handle and hang on for the ride, (and for dear life). Our very existence on this planet is in the details. It does make me want to investigate further, (but I had better watch my physics video tutor first to get a better grasp).
I mean, who doesn?t ponder the big questions? Of course, the old maxim applies, the more we know the more we realize that we don?t know. The smugness that could go along with the accumulation of empirical knowledge is counter-productive to the spirit of curiosity. It is the people who are never intellectually satisfied who push the human race forward. It is not enough to accept the facts as presented. You should ask yourself why it happened, and how.
According to Mr. Hawking there is no accepted GUT, (Grand Unified Theory), so we are forced to patch together different models to find answers. Many of the present theories do not mesh with one another, (or the connections between them have not been deciphered yet, at least in their totality). So, if we are ever to figure out why there is something rather than nothing we still have a lot of work to do. An example of a gold fish in a bowl was used to illustrate the importance of perspective, and perception; because if we ever hope to make a big leap in knowledge we have to climb out of the confinements of our own self-limitation. In other words, don?t be contented with swimming around in your comfort zone. A good place to start is reading this book.
Jeffrey N
Dec 16, 2010
Hawking outduels Feynman
Hawking explains physics more comprehensibly and more entertainingly than Feynman, who was famous for making physics fun for the non-scientist. This book really is "the theory of everything." Readers of all backgrounds will learn something new.
