In 'The End Of Science,' John Horgan provocatively argues that the grand age of scientific discovery may be nearing its conclusion. He explores the notion that fundamental questions about our existence may remain forever unanswered, challenging the certainties we associate with science. Through engaging interviews with prominent scientists and thinkers, Horgan unveils a landscape where mysteries deepen rather than diminish. Can science truly unravel the complexities of consciousness, cosmology, and life itself? This thought-provoking book invites readers to reconsider the limits of scientific inquiry and the very nature of knowledge.
By John Horgan
Published: 2015
"Science is not doomed; it is simply evolving into a new paradigm of thought that embraces uncertainty, limits, and the beauty of the unknown."
In The End of Science, John Horgan makes the case that the era of truly profound scientific revelations about the universe and our place in it is over. Interviewing scientific luminaries such as Stephen Hawking, Francis Crick, and Richard Dawkins, he demonstrates that all the big questions that can be answered have been answered, as science bumps up against fundamental limits. The world cannot give us a “theory of everything,” and modern endeavors such as string theory are “ironic” and “theological” in nature, not scientific, because they are impossible to confirm. Horgan's argument was controversial in 1996, and it remains so today, still firing up debates in labs and on the internet, not least because—as Horgan details in a lengthy new introduction—ironic science is more prevalent than ever. Still, while Horgan offers his critique, grounded in the thinking of the world's leading researchers, he offers homage, too. If science is ending, he maintains, it is only because it has done its work so well.
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“Science is not doomed; it is simply evolving into a new paradigm of thought that embraces uncertainty, limits, and the beauty of the unknown.”
The End Of Science
By John Horgan
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
John Horgan is an accomplished author and science journalist, renowned for his thought-provoking exploration of science, philosophy, and the nature of knowledge. He is the author of several influential books, including 'The End of Science,' 'The Undiscovered Mind,' and 'The Belief Instinct.' Horgan is known for his accessible writing style, which combines rigorous analysis with a conversational tone, making complex scientific ideas comprehensible to a broad audience. His works often challenge conventional wisdom and examine the limitations of scientific inquiry. Horgan has also contributed to various prominent publications, including Scientific American and The New York Times, further establishing his reputation as a leading voice in the dialogue between science and society.
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