Dreams of a Final TheoryWeinberg, the 1979 Nobel Prize-winner in physics, imagines the shape of a final theory and the effect its discovery would have on the human spirit. He gives a defense of reductionism--the impulse to trace explanations of natural phenomena to deeper and deeper levels--and examines the curious relevance of beauty and symmetry in scientific theories. Weinberg gives a personal account of the search for the laws of nature, and shares glimpses scientists have had from time to time that there is a deeper truth foreshadowing a final theory. For another side of the discussion, see David Lindley's The End of Physics. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR |
Contents
PROLOGUE | 3 |
ON A PIECE OF CHALK | 19 |
TWO CHEERS FOR REDUCTIONISM | 51 |
Copyright | |
12 other sections not shown
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
accelerator atoms beauty calculations called carbon century chalk chemistry cosmological constant Dirac discovered discovery earth Einstein Einstein's theory elec electromagnetic forces electron electroweak symmetry electroweak theory elementary particle physics experimental experiments explained field equations final laws final theory fundamental galaxies gluons gravitational field Heisenberg high-energy idea known laws of nature light magnetic field mass mathematical matter measure million molecules momentum motion neutrinos Newton's theory Newtonian nuclei observed orbit philosophers photons physical theories Planck energy planets positivism possible predicted problem of infinities properties quantum electrodynamics quantum field theory quantum mechanics quarks reductionism scientific scientists sense simple sort space spin standard model string theories strong nuclear forces Super Collider symmetry breaking symmetry principle theorists theory of gravitation theory of relativity things ticles tion total cosmological constant trons universe volts wave function wavelength weak and electromagnetic weak forces weak nuclear force Z particles