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Science in the Twentieth Century: A Social-Intellectual Survey
As the 19th century drew to a close, the age-old quest to understand the physical world appeared to be complete, except for a few minor details. In fact, Albert Michelson, the first American to win a Nobel Prize in the sciences, noted that, "It seems probable that most of the grand underlying principles have been firmly established." And he was far from alone among his peers. Scientists in 1900 had no inkling of the other mind-boggling developments that lay in plate tectonics, genetic engineering, space probes, nanotechnology, big bang theory, electronic computers, nuclear weapons, artificial intelligence, and many other astounding products of the human mind. Indeed, by the end of the 20th century, nearly every 19th-century theory of natural and social phenomena would be overthrown or superseded.
This dynamic transformation has not been a matter of revolution, but of evolution, as you'll learn in this fascinating 36-lecture exploration of scientific growth filled with ideas, anecdotes, and insights. You'll see how 20th-century scientists have built on crucial 19th-century concepts such as energy, natural selection, atoms, fields, and waves to assemble a body of knowledge to stun even the most farsighted scientific thinkers of that not-too-distant past.
You'll come away with a new appreciation of how scientific knowledge expands, as Professor Goldman addresses a tremendous range of scientific and technological topics, including science and society, physics, mathematics, psychology, cosmology, telecommunications, meteorology, and archaeology.
PLEASE When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.
This dynamic transformation has not been a matter of revolution, but of evolution, as you'll learn in this fascinating 36-lecture exploration of scientific growth filled with ideas, anecdotes, and insights. You'll see how 20th-century scientists have built on crucial 19th-century concepts such as energy, natural selection, atoms, fields, and waves to assemble a body of knowledge to stun even the most farsighted scientific thinkers of that not-too-distant past.
You'll come away with a new appreciation of how scientific knowledge expands, as Professor Goldman addresses a tremendous range of scientific and technological topics, including science and society, physics, mathematics, psychology, cosmology, telecommunications, meteorology, and archaeology.
PLEASE When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.
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Published January 1, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 29, 2019
A very useful overview of the frameworks of scientific thinking in the 20th century within various disciplines including Biology, Anthropology, Physics, Economics and other so called "soft" and "hard" sciences.
The overview is useful because unlike similar endeavours, it tries among other things to trace four core ideas that run across all these disciplines as they developed in the past century. These are:
- Relationships (as opposed to things in themselves)
- Systems (related to Relationship but used as a top down examination of complexity in Nature)
- Dynamism (change as the normal state of affairs)
- Information (as a category or reality)
These frameworks are examined within their historical and social contexts, and compared to those of previous centuries (especially 19th). As far as Science is concerned, the 20th century is a most important one as it allowed it to increase its grip and influence on people's lives exponentially. This obviously allows some interesting lessons to be drawn in relation to where science is heading in its relationship with society in the present century.
However, I had an issue with the "depth" of the topics as opposed to the overall "breadth" of the course. Some of the topics were explored in unnecessarily detailed fashion, at the expense of losing sight of the big picture. For someone who is even vaguely familiar with say the development Physics, the lectures feel overworked. But this is largely redeemed by the conclusions Goldman draws and his inimitable delivery. I highly recommend the course for these qualities.
The overview is useful because unlike similar endeavours, it tries among other things to trace four core ideas that run across all these disciplines as they developed in the past century. These are:
- Relationships (as opposed to things in themselves)
- Systems (related to Relationship but used as a top down examination of complexity in Nature)
- Dynamism (change as the normal state of affairs)
- Information (as a category or reality)
These frameworks are examined within their historical and social contexts, and compared to those of previous centuries (especially 19th). As far as Science is concerned, the 20th century is a most important one as it allowed it to increase its grip and influence on people's lives exponentially. This obviously allows some interesting lessons to be drawn in relation to where science is heading in its relationship with society in the present century.
However, I had an issue with the "depth" of the topics as opposed to the overall "breadth" of the course. Some of the topics were explored in unnecessarily detailed fashion, at the expense of losing sight of the big picture. For someone who is even vaguely familiar with say the development Physics, the lectures feel overworked. But this is largely redeemed by the conclusions Goldman draws and his inimitable delivery. I highly recommend the course for these qualities.
May 29, 2022
These lectures are a comprehensive recapture of the journey of science in the twentieth century. The author focuses on physics and tells the story of the development of modern physics, including special relativity, general relativity, and quantum theories. It also discusses recent physics advances in astrophysics and cosmology. The lectures also cover chemistry, biology, and medical science, but much less.
The author sees science as a significant influence on the intellectual advances in the twentieth century. He discusses progress in psychology, political science, and economics, where scientific principles push these subjects into fact-based objective frameworks.
While the author covers most of the research advances that I know of, there are some notable omissions. Most importantly, the lectures ignore the massive impact of scientific advances on technologies, although there was some discussion on the relationship between science and technology. As a result, the lectures do not cover the areas of applied science, such as computer science, control science, systems, operational research, etc. In physics, condensed matter physics was almost left out. Although closer to applications, condensed matter physics does address some fundamental problems such as strongly coupled many-body systems, topological physics, etc.
The lectures pay attention to the intellectual implications of science, such as reductionism. However, they did not mention Popper’s falsification theory, which, in my view, is the most important scientific principle developed in the twentieth century. The principle is valuable in distinguishing science and pseudoscience. Another omission is the role of science in social discourse, especially the relationship between science and religion.
Overall, the lectures provide an excellent overview of twentieth-century science progress. However, it does not give a complete picture of the “social-intellectual survey.” For people already familiar with science and technology, the lectures provide limited value.
The author sees science as a significant influence on the intellectual advances in the twentieth century. He discusses progress in psychology, political science, and economics, where scientific principles push these subjects into fact-based objective frameworks.
While the author covers most of the research advances that I know of, there are some notable omissions. Most importantly, the lectures ignore the massive impact of scientific advances on technologies, although there was some discussion on the relationship between science and technology. As a result, the lectures do not cover the areas of applied science, such as computer science, control science, systems, operational research, etc. In physics, condensed matter physics was almost left out. Although closer to applications, condensed matter physics does address some fundamental problems such as strongly coupled many-body systems, topological physics, etc.
The lectures pay attention to the intellectual implications of science, such as reductionism. However, they did not mention Popper’s falsification theory, which, in my view, is the most important scientific principle developed in the twentieth century. The principle is valuable in distinguishing science and pseudoscience. Another omission is the role of science in social discourse, especially the relationship between science and religion.
Overall, the lectures provide an excellent overview of twentieth-century science progress. However, it does not give a complete picture of the “social-intellectual survey.” For people already familiar with science and technology, the lectures provide limited value.
December 9, 2019
Good lectures but he tends to use lingo that he does not define thus assuming one already knows what the words mean. That would suggest this is an intermediate course. Keep in mind that while the professor is talking about science, his doctorate is in the humanities. Specifically, he is a philosopher. Nevertheless, I think he does a reasonable job in exploring science in the context of its time.
Any problems? Yes, but they were minor. The professor perpetuated that old myth that somehow Einstein deeply regretted and was embarrassed by his inclusion of the cosmological constant. He did admit that it was a mistake, but Einstein was bound to get some things wrong and everyone knew it including Einstein. When you are on the cutting edge you are going to get some things wrong. No big deal.
There were a few other things, but they don't come to mind at the moment. I simply remember being irked a few times, but they were minor things.
I'd listen to these lectures again.
Any problems? Yes, but they were minor. The professor perpetuated that old myth that somehow Einstein deeply regretted and was embarrassed by his inclusion of the cosmological constant. He did admit that it was a mistake, but Einstein was bound to get some things wrong and everyone knew it including Einstein. When you are on the cutting edge you are going to get some things wrong. No big deal.
There were a few other things, but they don't come to mind at the moment. I simply remember being irked a few times, but they were minor things.
I'd listen to these lectures again.
August 29, 2024
good commute fodder. lots of material jammed together - each section could probably support its own 36-lecture set - but goldman does his best to blast through it, even if that means some fairly muddled or slightly confused (because so heavily summarized) sections. the lectures on the social sciences at the end were good and perhaps "necessary," but I'd have lopped them off and done an entire series just on them (then again, you can only lecture on what the teaching company has assigned, as my friends have reported). recommended.
August 9, 2017
Maybe too ambitious up to the point of being boring at times. I did like the search for common pattern across the scientific ideas across different disciplines. I think I still prefer the other "History-of-Science" type of courses I have listen before from TTC.
February 1, 2023
One of the best educational books I've ever read. This was so insightful and holistic and well done.
February 19, 2013
Outstanding. Highly recommended, will likely change your understanding of what science is. dont want to give too much away, but a few overarching themes predominate the physical/natural/social siences & deserve reiteration:
The scope, applicablility, & power of science have accelerated over the past century.
Progress in scope and explanatory/predictive power, however, dont entail progress toward reality.
Network, Structure, & Relationships are important.
The concept of System (Holism) becomes important, with Emergence making the whole > the sum of its parts.
Dynamism is more prevalent than equilibrium, Change is the norm.
Complex systems behave unpredictably.
Scientific Theories & Instrumental Technology are closely linked.
Processes & Relationships are more important than Subtantive explanations. We are maturing beyond Dichotomous thinking.
The increasingly Collaborative & Cross-Disciplinary nature of science.
The scope, applicablility, & power of science have accelerated over the past century.
Progress in scope and explanatory/predictive power, however, dont entail progress toward reality.
Network, Structure, & Relationships are important.
The concept of System (Holism) becomes important, with Emergence making the whole > the sum of its parts.
Dynamism is more prevalent than equilibrium, Change is the norm.
Complex systems behave unpredictably.
Scientific Theories & Instrumental Technology are closely linked.
Processes & Relationships are more important than Subtantive explanations. We are maturing beyond Dichotomous thinking.
The increasingly Collaborative & Cross-Disciplinary nature of science.
May 10, 2015
A fascinating intellectual journey through the entire spectrum of sciences in 20th century. Professor Goldman has covered key discoveries, evolutions and inventions in Physical, Life and Social sciences. Additionally he has also laid down the small and big clouds which may precipitate into newer discoveries and evolutions in the current century which may yet again redefine our perceptions of reality; just like the 2 minor clouds as mentioned by Lord Kelvin eventually led to quantum physics and general relativity. Science is the new religion and we can only hope that it would be the better one.
I am still intrigued by the uncanny similarity between quantum physics and Upanishadic teachings.
I am still intrigued by the uncanny similarity between quantum physics and Upanishadic teachings.
March 12, 2016
This is excellent. However, start with the teach12 "Science Wars" course instead - unless you already have a very solid knowledge of the philosophy of science.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews