Achilles in the Quantum Universe the Definitive History of Infinity

by Richard Morris

Acclaimed science writer Richard Morris guides the reader on a literate and clearly written tour of the efforts to make sense of the mind-bending concept of the infinite. Starting with simple logical puzzles and progressing to the latest cosmological theories, he shows us how this very problem helped spawn groundbreaking theories such as relativity and quantum mechanics. Finally, we see how the possibility of infinite universes may hold answers to some of humankind's most fundamental questions.

Genres: Science, Physics, Nonfiction, History, Mathematics, Philosophy, Popular Science

Paperback

First published May 15, 1997

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Reviews

[Mateo · Rating 4 out of 5]

theoretical physics/metaphysics is one of those things that I'm interested in, to the point that I will read an entire book on the topic, but I think an actual physicist would be frustrated to the point of tears if they ever heard me talk about physics. all that to say this was a very interesting book and I understood absolutely none of it!

[Kathy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was zipping along through this "definitive history of infinity" when the author told me that lines of latitude are perpendicular to the equator. Having just read Longitude by Dana Sobel, I was jarred by that statement. Because I am not overly competent in geography, I checked several sources, all of whom disagreed with Morris. So I couldn't bear to finish his book. Too bad: I was enjoying it. But if he, and his editors, could let such a simple mistake get through, I just can't trust his "definitive" anything.

[Brent · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.3

[Joe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. This reads more like a collection of disjointed encyclopedia entries than it does a book about a particular subject.

Morris attempts to explain the specter of infinity in modern science and, to a greater extent, the inability of humans to decipher or even broach it's physical meaning.

The recounts of early philosophy (the "scientists" of earlier times) are very interesting and so are the recent struggles with the infinity glass ceiling in quantum theory. The problem though is he doesn't do much to connect them.

If it was a comprehensive history of humanity's grappling with the idea of limitlessness, he seems to have left out big chunks in the chronology. And if it's merely an account of the shortcomings of contemporary mathematical fomalisms, he doesn't go in depth enough for us to appreciate it.

Basically, the story boils down to the fact that when we examine the very very large or the very very small, our macroscopic brains aren't able to comprehend the idea that infinity plus one is still infinity.

Each historical account contains the intriguing "Huh! Would you look at that, there's infinity again!" but then there is practically no fulfillment of our (or anyone's) inquiry. No meaningful advances have been made that further our understanding so there is not much substance to the anecdotes at all.

The takeaway of the book seems to be that it's just beyond our comprehension. It's as if the light bulbs over our heads are doomed to float sadly in the dark.

Now, I'm not charging Morris with the task of unraveling the mysteries of the infinite. I just think he could have made the finite number of pages in his book say something more than just "Isn't that the damnedest thing!"

(He also uses the word "propounded" an obnoxious number of times, but that's just a matter of taste. I propound that he should use a thesaurus.)

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

More history than infinity to be sure, but it was a good read on the topic of impossibly complex systems and scales. Touched on a lot of theoretical physics in a relatively (no pun intended) accessable way and gave a lot of grounding to the ethereal and often rarified theories and realities therin.

Not what I was expecting entirely, but in this case it was a pleasant surprise.

3.5 stars out of 5

[May Ling]

This was interesting and a decent read. I think it's important to understand the history of a concept such as infinite. It differs from some of the mathematical histories that I've taken a look at as it comes at infinite from a physics perspective. Very comprehensive, but definitive.... tough call. I will say this, I give it high marks for accomplishing what it does in a little over 200pages. For that reason alone I think one should consider reading it.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really interesting book though there were points where it lost me a bit. I especially enjoyed the first couple of chapters with the mathematical paradoxes and I'm not a maths buff so these really are accessible illustrations. The chapters introducing quantum mechanics are essentially a recap of what can be found in many other books as well and is of course a little out of date now but they are a good summary.

[Dewayne Stark · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was published in 1997 and since then I have read loads of material in the quantum field. Not that I would say I understand it but this was basically a reread with some interesting historical footnotes.

[Simon Mendoza · Rating 3 out of 5]

Think you know everything about infinity? guess again, an excellent, not-to-difficult read