Lost in Math: How Beauty Leads Physics Astray (Unabridged)
-
-
4.2 • 13 Ratings
-
-
- $21.99
-
- $21.99
Publisher Description
A contrarian argues that modern physicists' obsession with beauty has given us wonderful math but bad science
Whether pondering black holes or predicting discoveries at CERN, physicists believe the best theories are beautiful, natural, and elegant, and this standard separates popular theories from disposable ones. This is why, Sabine Hossenfelder argues, we have not seen a major breakthrough in the foundations of physics for more than four decades. The belief in beauty has become so dogmatic that it now conflicts with scientific objectivity: observation has been unable to confirm mindboggling theories, like supersymmetry or grand unification, invented by physicists based on aesthetic criteria. Worse, these "too good to not be true" theories are actually untestable and they have left the field in a cul-de-sac. To escape, physicists must rethink their methods. Only by embracing reality as it is can science discover the truth.
Customer Reviews
An Entertaining Statement of Caution
This book is fun and informative. Sabine weighs in a number of perspectives, makes good observations, and draws attention to some excellent points of concern.
The interviewees and historical notes are enjoyable (as is Sabine’s dry wit). They provide broad take, as well as a wandering narrative of problematic tendencies in science.
There is no Deus Ex Machina here. Sabine’s book describes what we should be more critical of, both specifically and in a general sense what we can better notice.
Are there flaws in our thinking and methods that lay directly before us, perhaps outside of theoretical physics?
I currently work in engineering, rather than science or research. I find the modes of thought, observations, and recommendations presented by Sabjne brilliant, entertaining, and broadly applicable.
Science played a key role in the comforts and society that presently support us, and our way of life. Science is a noble pursuit that I believe should be of more interest to the general public. Sabine’s work and outreach offer practical and entertaining review of a key discipline in contemporary science.
Important reading
This book opened my eyes to the reality of theoretical physics research. We implicitly trust that now more than ever, scientists should be discovering and confirming ever more expansive models of the universe. After all, we have more knowledge, technology, and brain power being thrown at these topics! However, Sabine points to a more dangerous reality: that many in the scientific community are more obsessed with chasing down phantom theories because they WANT them to be true, wasting decades and untold sums of money in such pursuits. And that even the very Scientific Method itself is being threatened in order to accommodate pseudoscientific theories that are untestable by their very nature. If these trends continue, we’ll be facing a very real and very ironic scientific dark age despite all the advancements and opportunities for true discovery that humanity has as its disposal nowadays.