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On Space and Time
What is the true nature of space and time? These concepts are at the heart of science, but they remain deeply wrapped in mystery. Both house their structure at the smallest pre-subatomic and the largest cosmological levels continues to defy modern physics and may require revolutionary new ideas for which science is still grasping. This unique volume brings together world leaders in cosmology, particle physics, quantum gravity, mathematics, philosophy and theology, to provide fresh insights into the deep structure of space and time. Andrew Taylor, Shahn Majid, Roger Penrose, Alain Connes, Michael Heller, and John Polkinghorne all experts in their respective fields, explain their theories in this outstanding compiled text.
A note from Simon Capelin, one of scholarly science publishing's leading editors : What is space? What is time? Is space infinite? Does time have a beginning? These questions have fascinated scientists, philosophers and theologians alike for hundreds of years, and the answers continue to elude us today. Current theories fall short of answers to the deeper questions, and the structure of space and time continues to defy modern physics. But the quest to understand the nature of space and time does not just lie with scientists. The search raises theological questions about the nature of physical reality itself, and what it means to exist. So, after more than two thousand years of thought and several hundred years of science, what do we know about the nature of space and time? This question was posed to a panel of six world leaders in physics, mathematics, and theology in a public discussion held at Emmanuel College, Sir Roger Penrose, who has made many remarkable contributions to science; John Polkinghorne KBE, a renowned theologian and particle physicist; Alain Connes, Fields medalist, and one of the world's foremost mathematicians; Michael Heller, a key contributor to the fields of science, theology, and philosophy; Shahn Majid, one of the pioneers in the theory of quantum symmetry; and Andrew Taylor, who has made major contributions in the study of dark matter and dark energy. In this book, each of these very distinguished authors expands on the theories presented at the discussion. They offer their personal perspectives, providing unique insights on this matter, from the structure of spacetime, dark matter, quantum spacetime, and what happened before the Big Bang, to the nature of time, metaphysics, and the philosophical and theological implications of spacetime.
A note from Simon Capelin, one of scholarly science publishing's leading editors : What is space? What is time? Is space infinite? Does time have a beginning? These questions have fascinated scientists, philosophers and theologians alike for hundreds of years, and the answers continue to elude us today. Current theories fall short of answers to the deeper questions, and the structure of space and time continues to defy modern physics. But the quest to understand the nature of space and time does not just lie with scientists. The search raises theological questions about the nature of physical reality itself, and what it means to exist. So, after more than two thousand years of thought and several hundred years of science, what do we know about the nature of space and time? This question was posed to a panel of six world leaders in physics, mathematics, and theology in a public discussion held at Emmanuel College, Sir Roger Penrose, who has made many remarkable contributions to science; John Polkinghorne KBE, a renowned theologian and particle physicist; Alain Connes, Fields medalist, and one of the world's foremost mathematicians; Michael Heller, a key contributor to the fields of science, theology, and philosophy; Shahn Majid, one of the pioneers in the theory of quantum symmetry; and Andrew Taylor, who has made major contributions in the study of dark matter and dark energy. In this book, each of these very distinguished authors expands on the theories presented at the discussion. They offer their personal perspectives, providing unique insights on this matter, from the structure of spacetime, dark matter, quantum spacetime, and what happened before the Big Bang, to the nature of time, metaphysics, and the philosophical and theological implications of spacetime.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published December 1, 2008
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
December 16, 2022
Not the best popular science book.
POSTED AT AMAZON 2010
OK: Andrew Taylor presentation "The Dark Universe" is a great summary of what we know (or do not know) about the Universe. This itself deserves 5 stars. Michael Heller's thoughts are interesting and several pages entry by Polkinghorne is readable, though looks like a quick filler to me. But...Roger Penrose presents heavily his new concept (model) of Conformal Cyclic Cosmology using Weyl curvature tensor (hypothesis). He recently published his own book on the subject. Shahan Majid shows his theoretical and speculative views related to self-duality principle of reality perception, using "deformed geometry" and abstract algebra (the best is Fig.2.13 - Plato's cave allegory), while "noncommutative" Alain Connes..well, I just had enough and skipped it - too much "math by words". Avoid it, unless you want to realy struggle throughout almost 200 pages.
POSTED AT AMAZON 2010
OK: Andrew Taylor presentation "The Dark Universe" is a great summary of what we know (or do not know) about the Universe. This itself deserves 5 stars. Michael Heller's thoughts are interesting and several pages entry by Polkinghorne is readable, though looks like a quick filler to me. But...Roger Penrose presents heavily his new concept (model) of Conformal Cyclic Cosmology using Weyl curvature tensor (hypothesis). He recently published his own book on the subject. Shahan Majid shows his theoretical and speculative views related to self-duality principle of reality perception, using "deformed geometry" and abstract algebra (the best is Fig.2.13 - Plato's cave allegory), while "noncommutative" Alain Connes..well, I just had enough and skipped it - too much "math by words". Avoid it, unless you want to realy struggle throughout almost 200 pages.
Displaying 1 of 1 review