On Science (Thinking in Action) [Paperback]

Brian Ridley (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0415249805 | ISBN-13: 978-0415249805 | Publication Date: May 25, 2001

Can science explain everything? Brian Ridley, a physicist himself, explores this question and more in this compelling exploration of both the scope and limits of science. Tracing back to the roots of scientific thinking in a world of 'magical ideas', he argues that science shares more with magic than we are often led to believe.
The book also explores the often overlooked relationship between science and mathematics and the uneasy relationship between the two. This is neatly linked to a fascinating discussion of relativity and quantum theory, reminding us of the many perspectives on offer within science. On Science is essential reading for all those interested in the way we think about and picture science, where it is now, and where it is going.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Thought-provoking and well-written ... an excellent introduction to a number of important questions residing at that interface where philosophy borders on science, and science becomes philosophical.' - John Casti, Nature

'The great value of this book is that it goes much further and deeper than a mere statement of principle ...' - Jean-Marc Ley-Leblond, Physics World

About the Author

B.K. Ridley is Professor of Physics at the University of Essex. He is author of the bestselling Time, Space and Things (1995).

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Routledge (May 25, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415249805
• ISBN-13: 978-0415249805
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,082,869 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Level-headed Perspective on Science, February 15, 2003

By 

Tron Honto - See all my reviews

This review is from: On Science (Thinking in Action) (Hardcover)

Ridley has a keen sense of the role, strengths, and limits of science as a branch of human knowledge. This work circumscribes science and seeks to be a contribution towards shedding some megalomaniacal ambitions of scientism, which in the tradition of Comte, raises science to the highest order of knowledge. He accomplishes this on many levels--explaining what the grand Theory of Everything that physicists dream exactly would constitute [not much really, just a mapping out of atomic particles, not the meaning of existence], discussing the relation of magic and science, examining the meta-science [basically, epistemology] that undergirds and makes possible empirical science qua science as usually understood, and the relation of science to life's mysteries, such as the mind, art, and morality.

Ridley shows a good knowledge of both his own scientific discipline [Physics] and contemporary philosophy and integerates the two well, a rare quality.