What do you think?
Rate this book
Commencement du temps et fin de la physique ?
Sous le titre Commencement du temps et fin de la physique ?, on trouvera rassemblés deux textes de Stephen Hawking d'époques différentes. Le premier, "La fin de la physique théorique est-elle en vue ?", est le texte de la Leçon inaugurale que Stephen Hawking prononça en avril 1980, à Cambridge, lorsqu'il prit possession de la chaire de Mathématiques, succédant à... Newton et à Dirac. Le second, "Le bord de l'espace-temps", a été publié en 1989, et est donc quasiment contemporain de Une brève histoire du temps. Mais tous deux participent de la même fascination pour la question des origines et le caractère inévitable des lois qui décrivent l'univers. Peut-on - et comment - parvenir à une théorie du monde au niveau le plus fondamental, la microphysique, et peut-on appliquer cette théorie à l'univers entier, au macrocosme ? La réflexion de Hawking nous conduit au coeur de la physique contemporaine.
- GenresScienceNonfictionPhysics
128 pages, Pocket Book
First published January 1, 1980
About the author
Stephen W. Hawking
201 books13k followersStephen William Hawking was an English theoretical physicist, cosmologist, and author who was director of research at the Centre for Theoretical Cosmology at the University of Cambridge. Between 1979 and 2009, he was the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge, widely viewed as one of the most prestigious academic posts in the world.
Hawking was born in Oxford into a family of physicians. In October 1959, at the age of 17, he began his university education at University College, Oxford, where he received a first-class BA degree in physics. In October 1962, he began his graduate work at Trinity Hall, Cambridge, where, in March 1966, he obtained his PhD degree in applied mathematics and theoretical physics, specialising in general relativity and cosmology. In 1963, at age 21, Hawking was diagnosed with an early-onset slow-progressing form of motor neurone disease that gradually, over decades, paralysed him. After the loss of his speech, he communicated through a speech-generating device initially through use of a handheld switch, and eventually by using a single cheek muscle.
Hawking's scientific works included a collaboration with Roger Penrose on gravitational singularity theorems in the framework of general relativity, and the theoretical prediction that black holes emit radiation, often called Hawking radiation. Initially, Hawking radiation was controversial. By the late 1970s, and following the publication of further research, the discovery was widely accepted as a major breakthrough in theoretical physics. Hawking was the first to set out a theory of cosmology explained by a union of the general theory of relativity and quantum mechanics. He was a vigorous supporter of the many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics.
Hawking achieved commercial success with several works of popular science in which he discussed his theories and cosmology in general. His book A Brief History of Time appeared on the Sunday Times bestseller list for a record-breaking 237 weeks. Hawking was a Fellow of the Royal Society, a lifetime member of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, and a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States. In 2002, Hawking was ranked number 25 in the BBC's poll of the 100 Greatest Britons. He died in 2018 at the age of 76, having lived more than 50 years following his diagnosis of motor neurone disease.
Hawking was born in Oxford into a family of physicians. In October 1959, at the age of 17, he began his university education at University College, Oxford, where he received a first-class BA degree in physics. In October 1962, he began his graduate work at Trinity Hall, Cambridge, where, in March 1966, he obtained his PhD degree in applied mathematics and theoretical physics, specialising in general relativity and cosmology. In 1963, at age 21, Hawking was diagnosed with an early-onset slow-progressing form of motor neurone disease that gradually, over decades, paralysed him. After the loss of his speech, he communicated through a speech-generating device initially through use of a handheld switch, and eventually by using a single cheek muscle.
Hawking's scientific works included a collaboration with Roger Penrose on gravitational singularity theorems in the framework of general relativity, and the theoretical prediction that black holes emit radiation, often called Hawking radiation. Initially, Hawking radiation was controversial. By the late 1970s, and following the publication of further research, the discovery was widely accepted as a major breakthrough in theoretical physics. Hawking was the first to set out a theory of cosmology explained by a union of the general theory of relativity and quantum mechanics. He was a vigorous supporter of the many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics.
Hawking achieved commercial success with several works of popular science in which he discussed his theories and cosmology in general. His book A Brief History of Time appeared on the Sunday Times bestseller list for a record-breaking 237 weeks. Hawking was a Fellow of the Royal Society, a lifetime member of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, and a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States. In 2002, Hawking was ranked number 25 in the BBC's poll of the 100 Greatest Britons. He died in 2018 at the age of 76, having lived more than 50 years following his diagnosis of motor neurone disease.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 1, 2021
Una delle più grandi paure che mi accompagna da quando ero più o meno alle elementari è questa idea che l'Universo si trovi nel vuoto. Non che sia una descrizione scientifica della situazione, ma per anni come immagine mi ha tolto il fiato (sì, lo so, ero una bambina speciale) (non che le cose siano cambiate troppo negli anni).
Per questo mi ha colpito di essere riuscita a leggere questo libro con serenità e calma. È un po' (a tratti un bel po') datato, ma è comunque un bel modo per parlare di fisica del molto piccolo e del molto grande. Diciamo che lavora per suggestioni e Hawking descrive lo stato dell'arte in modo chiaro e non eccessivamente tecnico.
Un gioiellino anche l'introduzione, lunga circa metà del libro.
E poi, volete mettere poter dire l'ultimo libro che ho letto è di Stephen Hawking.
Per questo mi ha colpito di essere riuscita a leggere questo libro con serenità e calma. È un po' (a tratti un bel po') datato, ma è comunque un bel modo per parlare di fisica del molto piccolo e del molto grande. Diciamo che lavora per suggestioni e Hawking descrive lo stato dell'arte in modo chiaro e non eccessivamente tecnico.
Un gioiellino anche l'introduzione, lunga circa metà del libro.
E poi, volete mettere poter dire l'ultimo libro che ho letto è di Stephen Hawking.
October 19, 2026
Gostei muito da primeira metade do livro. Até porque foi a única que percebi.
Para alguém que está dentro do tema, mas não é especialista, sinto que a primeira metade é muito boa e aprende-se muito, mas, a segunda parte, a da palestra de Stephen Hawking já é muito específica. Muito boa, acredito, para quem é da área, mas, para mim, foi um pouco inútil porque não estou tão dentro do tema quanto isso.
Para alguém que está dentro do tema, mas não é especialista, sinto que a primeira metade é muito boa e aprende-se muito, mas, a segunda parte, a da palestra de Stephen Hawking já é muito específica. Muito boa, acredito, para quem é da área, mas, para mim, foi um pouco inútil porque não estou tão dentro do tema quanto isso.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews