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What We Believe But Cannot Prove: Today's Leading Thinkers on Science in the Age
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What We Believe But Cannot Prove: Today's Leading Thinkers on Science in the Age of Certainty Paperback - 2006 - 1st Edition

by John Brockman


Summary

More than one hundred of the world's leading thinkers write about things they believe in, despite the absence of concrete proofScientific theory, more often than not, is born of bold assumption, disparate bits of unconnected evidence, and educated leaps of faith. Some of the most potent beliefs among brilliant minds are based on supposition alone -- yet that is enough to push those minds toward making the theory viable.Eminent cultural impresario, editor, and publisher of Edge (www.edge.org), John Brockman asked a group of leading scientists and thinkers to answer the question: What do you believe to be true even though you cannot prove it? This book brings together the very best answers from the most distinguished contributors.Thought-provoking and hugely compelling, this collection of bite-size thought-experiments is a fascinating insight into the instinctive beliefs of some of the most brilliant minds today.

From the publisher

More than one hundred of the world's leading thinkers write about things they believe in, despite the absence of concrete proof

Scientific theory, more often than not, is born of bold assumption, disparate bits of unconnected evidence, and educated leaps of faith. Some of the most potent beliefs among brilliant minds are based on supposition alone -- yet that is enough to push those minds toward making the theory viable.

Eminent cultural impresario, editor, and publisher of Edge (www.edge.org), John Brockman asked a group of leading scientists and thinkers to answer the question: What do you believe to be true even though you cannot prove it? This book brings together the very best answers from the most distinguished contributors.

Thought-provoking and hugely compelling, this collection of bite-size thought-experiments is a fascinating insight into the instinctive beliefs of some of the most brilliant minds today.

First line

I believe that intelligent life may presently be unique to our Earth but has the potential to spread throughout the galaxy and beyond it-indeed, the emergence of complexity could be near its beginning.

Details

  • Title What We Believe But Cannot Prove: Today's Leading Thinkers on Science in the Age of Certainty
  • Author John Brockman
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition number 1st
  • Edition 1
  • Pages 272
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Harper Perennial, Scarborough, ON, Canada
  • Date 2006-02-28
  • Features Table of Contents
  • ISBN 9780060841812 / 0060841818
  • Weight 0.45 lbs (0.20 kg)
  • Dimensions 8.08 x 5.36 x 0.66 in (20.52 x 13.61 x 1.68 cm)
  • Library of Congress subjects Science, Science - Philosophy
  • Library of Congress Catalog Number 2006297514
  • Dewey Decimal Code 500

Media reviews

Citations

  • Booklist, 02/01/2006, Page 13
  • Library Journal, 03/15/2006, Page 0
  • New York Times, 06/11/2006, Page 28
  • Publishers Weekly, 02/06/2006, Page 62
  • Vanity Fair, 03/01/2006, Page 160
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by Brockman, John

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