Customer Reviews

Doubt And Certainty: The Celebrated Academy Debates On Science, Mysticism Reality (Helix Books)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is an extraordinary book. First, it is NOT one more book of hype about some new "break through" in science that is going to "revolutionize" our concept of the universe. Looking at all those superficial "science" books, one cannot help but wonder if science itself has become the modern superstition. Rothman and Sudarshan's most insightful book saves science from becoming a superstition. It is fresh and it is thought provoking. Even the most difficult concepts of fundamental physics are taken apart, bit by bit, through a delightful Socratic dialogue, exposing the doubt and certainty in our knowledge. This is a book for those who cannot tolerate the dogma science has become in the popular mind. It is a clear contender for the Pulitzer Prize.

There is much to commend in this book. The sheer scope and breadth of subjects it covers are amazing. The premise of the book is interesting and novel: a fictional version of Plato's Academy debating the issues at hand in a series of questions and answers. However, many issues are covered too glibly, especially ones dealing with quantum mechanics and unified theories. Another problem is Tony Rothman's prose stylization of the material. George Sudarshan, the scientist of the writing duo, does an admirable job of explaining the properties, but much of the information is mangled by Rothman's antic writing and examples. It makes the book seem gimmicky, and much of it, truthfully, is bad, ornery writing that almost single-handedly hampers the book's service to inform the reader. The book has its merits of covering a vast amount of scientific knowledge, and is even entertaining to read in spurts. But if you're looking for books that deal with subjects more in-depth and appropriately, or those that are written in more truthful, elegant prose, look elsewhere.

I read a lot of science/math intended for lay readers but virtually never before have I had such amazing fun doing so - and with a frank and serious discussion of the most important issues of both, to boot. The authors are to be congratulated.

The best popular-science book I have ever read on the limits of knowledge in contemporary physics, cosmology and mathematics. It also explores the philosophical implications of these limits in a very warm and accessible fashion.

Delightfully whimsical at times, Rothman and Sudarshan are never condescending to the reader. Their commitment to accuracy- there are no cartoon versions of modern physics here- AND accessibility to the non-specialist invites my gratitude.

I hope all New-Agers will read Doubt and Certainty closely and with an open mind. Think of it as an update on Capra's Tao of Physics- greater clarity WITHOUT Capra's oversimplifications.

This book is undoubtedly a landmark in the history of scientific literature. Written by two world class physicists steeped in Wetsern and Eastern thought and cultures, the book achieves a unique synthesis of brilliant and thought provoking ideas on an astonishing range of scientific questions.

One marvels at how the authors offer penetrating analyses on some of the most difficult and fundamental scientific questions of our time, dispassionately presenting every point of view, and yet stopping short of imposing their own dogmas.

Lucidly written and liberally illustrated with figures, this book will tantalize both the scientifc novice and the expert, presenting its vast possibilities on the one hand, while simultaneously exposing its limitations on the other.

This is an extraordinary book and a "must read" for anyone interested in science and philosophy.

I loved this book, I give it 5 stars. Yes, it is imperfect; however, that is one of the points of the book, science, and life, are imperfect. (I do consider the chapter on chirality flawed, falling into a reductionist perspective, trying to find a mechanism that will account for life's chiral preference; overlooking the possibility that this was just the roll of the dice - life could just as likely have happened with mirror image enantiomorphs).

The book stands out in the humorous, ironic treatment of passionate debates. And it fosters acceptance of inescapable doubt.

I do wish that Claude Shannon had been invited to the Academy, to add an information theory perspective. Unfortunately, Tony Rothman, responding to my query, said that a second edition was unlikely.

a must read book for beginners like me.
The sheer vastness of topics these guys cover amazes you. It might at times make u uncover the old physics fundamentals books, if u wish to really understand an off-hand remark by an imaginary academician.

In case U have an appetite for questions & moreover, if U can digest many conflicting ideas, all struggling at the same time in ur stomach, go for it! And that's an important quality required in the reader. Because the book survives discussions with no describable results. There are observations, questions, explanations, irony of those explanations, further explanations & further ironies of these explanations. There are no ready-made solutions. The book makes u think.

I rate it cent percent. And I really think, more books of this kind are required, which try to break the notion of fixed iron bars around physics ideas.

Similar books by Hawking, Penrose, Capra and others usually present their authors' views. This book also tackles the fundamental questions (Is reality describable? Is math describing it? Symmetries? Arrow of time? etc) but also presents notable opinions from other physicists and philosophers. This way the reader gets a great overview.

Rothman's done it again. This is notonly physics, it's literature! The musicality of it alone is worth the read not to mention the extraordinary depth of scientific knowledge and incredible wealth of philosophical insight. These guys are masterminds for the new millenium! A MAJOR Pulitzer Prize contender. A must read.

Thanks to Professors George Sudarshan and Tony Rothman, now I am fully qualified to can carry on an intelligent conversation, for about five minutes, on Particle Physics,the Upanishads, Cosmology, Cosmetology, the Sphinx and 'Zeno Effect', and of course everything else under and above the sun and beyond.

One thing I learned form the book is this and that is, I know now how to look at the Sphinx in a whole new perspective if I ever run into one but I wonder what prompted the authors to bring in the 'Academy' into the mix. Certainly the subject matter was worthy of 'Academy-treatment' but I thought the 'style' lacked 'Hellenic' attributes.

Since Prof. George Sudarshan and I are from the same neck of the woods I hope he doesn't mind if I go along with what I know to be 'certain',

"Existence or nonexistence was not then. The bright region was not,nor the space (vyoman) that is beyond. What encompassed? Where? Under whose protection? What water was there-deep unfathomable?

Death or immortality was not then.

There was no distinction between night and day. That one breathed,windeless, by itself. Other than that there was nothing beyond.

In the beginning there was darkness concealed by darkness. All this was water without distinction. The One that was covered by voidness emerged through the might of the heat of the austerity.

In the beginning, desire, the first seed of mind, arose in That. Poet-seers,searching in their heart with wisdom,found the bond of existence in nonexistence.

Their [visions] ray stretched across [existence and nonexistence]. Perhaps there was a below; perhaps there was an above.

There were givers of seed; there were powers; effort below, self-giving above.

Who knows the truth? Who here will pronounce it whence this birth, whence this creation? The Gods appeard afterward,with the creations of this [world]. Who then knows whence it arose? Whence this creation arose, whether it created itself or whether it did not?

He who looks upon it from the highest space, he surely knows, or may be He knows not..."

-Rig Veda X.129.1-7

Seriously though, the book is certainly a brave and worthy attempt in tackling complex scientific,mystic,religious and other issues facing the human mind. Though a difficult read (for me) I thoroughly enjoyed the book and appreciate the authors efforts in making the complex subject matter easy on the brain.

Having just finished reading the book I am wondering what to read next! I think I pass on Deepak Chopra but Stephen Hawkings and Prof. Amit Goswami sound interesting...naaah I think I go with O.V.Vijayan. OK 'The Legends of Khasak' it is.