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The Resource The scientist as rebel, Freeman Dyson

The scientist as rebel, Freeman Dyson

Creator
Summary
"From Galileo to today's amateur astronomers, scientists have been rebels, writes Freeman Dyson. Like artists and poets, they are free spirits who resist the restrictions their cultures impose on them. In their pursuit of Nature's truths, they are guided as much by imagination as by reason, and their greatest theories have the uniqueness and beauty of great works of art. Dyson argues that the best way to understand science is by understanding those who practice it. He tells stories of scientists at work, ranging from Isaac Newton's absorption in physics, alchemy, theology, and politics, to Ernest Rutherford's discovery of the structure of the atom, to Albert Einstein's stubborn hostility to the idea of black holes. His descriptions of brilliant physicists like Edward Teller and Richard Feynman are enlivened by his own reminiscences of them. He looks with a skeptical eye at fashionable scientific fads and fantasies, and speculates on the future of climate prediction, genetic engineering, the colonization of space, and the possibility that paranormal phenomena may exist yet not be scientifically verifiable." "Dyson also looks beyond particular scientific questions to reflect on broader philosophical issues, such as the limits of reductionism, the morality of strategic bombing and nuclear weapons, the preservation of the environment, and the relationship between science and religion. These essays offer informed insights into the history of science and fresh perspectives on contentious current debates about science, ethics, and faith."--Jacket
Language
eng
Work
Publication
Extent
xvi, 360 pages
Contents
  • Contemporary issues in science
  • The scientist as rebel
  • Can science be ethical?
  • A modern heretic
  • The future needs us
  • What a world!
  • Witness to a tragedy
  • War and peace
  • Bombs and potatoes
  • Generals
  • Russians
  • Pacifists
  • The race is over
  • The force of reason
  • The bitter end
  • History of science and scientists
  • Two kinds of history
  • Edward Teller's Memoirs
  • In praise of amateurs
  • A new Newton
  • Clockwork science
  • The world on a string
  • Oppenheimer as scientist, administrator, and poet
  • Seeing the unseen
  • The tragic tale of a genius
  • Wise man
  • Personal and philosophical essays
  • The world, the flesh, and the devil
  • Is God in the lab?
  • This side idolatry
  • One in a million
  • Many worlds
  • Religion from the outside
Isbn
9781590172162
Link
Instance
Label
The scientist as rebel
Title
The scientist as rebel
Statement of responsibility
Freeman Dyson
Creator
Subject
Genre
Language
eng
Summary
"From Galileo to today's amateur astronomers, scientists have been rebels, writes Freeman Dyson. Like artists and poets, they are free spirits who resist the restrictions their cultures impose on them. In their pursuit of Nature's truths, they are guided as much by imagination as by reason, and their greatest theories have the uniqueness and beauty of great works of art. Dyson argues that the best way to understand science is by understanding those who practice it. He tells stories of scientists at work, ranging from Isaac Newton's absorption in physics, alchemy, theology, and politics, to Ernest Rutherford's discovery of the structure of the atom, to Albert Einstein's stubborn hostility to the idea of black holes. His descriptions of brilliant physicists like Edward Teller and Richard Feynman are enlivened by his own reminiscences of them. He looks with a skeptical eye at fashionable scientific fads and fantasies, and speculates on the future of climate prediction, genetic engineering, the colonization of space, and the possibility that paranormal phenomena may exist yet not be scientifically verifiable." "Dyson also looks beyond particular scientific questions to reflect on broader philosophical issues, such as the limits of reductionism, the morality of strategic bombing and nuclear weapons, the preservation of the environment, and the relationship between science and religion. These essays offer informed insights into the history of science and fresh perspectives on contentious current debates about science, ethics, and faith."--Jacket
Biography type
contains biographical information
Cataloging source
DLC
http://library.link/vocab/creatorName
Dyson, Freeman J
Dewey number
500
Index
no index present
LC call number
Q158.5
LC item number
.D977 2006
Literary form
non fiction
Nature of contents
bibliography
http://library.link/vocab/subjectName
  • Dyson, Freeman J
  • Dyson, Freeman J
  • Dyson, Freeman J
  • Dyson, Freeman J
  • Science
  • Physics
  • Science
  • Science
  • Scientists
  • Ethik
  • Naturwissenschaften
  • Naturvetenskap
  • Naturvetenskap
  • Fysik
  • Fysiker
  • Vetenskapsteori
  • Vetenskapshistoria
  • Physics
  • Science
  • Science
  • Scientists
  • United States
Label
The scientist as rebel, Freeman Dyson
Link
Instantiates
Publication
Bibliography note
Includes bibliographical references (pages 357-360)
Carrier category
volume
Carrier category code
  • nc
Carrier MARC source
rdacarrier
Content category
text
Content type code
  • txt
Content type MARC source
rdacontent
Contents
Contemporary issues in science -- The scientist as rebel -- Can science be ethical? -- A modern heretic -- The future needs us -- What a world! -- Witness to a tragedy -- War and peace -- Bombs and potatoes -- Generals -- Russians -- Pacifists -- The race is over -- The force of reason -- The bitter end -- History of science and scientists -- Two kinds of history -- Edward Teller's Memoirs -- In praise of amateurs -- A new Newton -- Clockwork science -- The world on a string -- Oppenheimer as scientist, administrator, and poet -- Seeing the unseen -- The tragic tale of a genius -- Wise man -- Personal and philosophical essays -- The world, the flesh, and the devil -- Is God in the lab? -- This side idolatry -- One in a million -- Many worlds -- Religion from the outside
Control code
ocm70265576
Dimensions
22 cm
Extent
xvi, 360 pages
Isbn
9781590172162
Lccn
2006022081
Media category
unmediated
Media MARC source
rdamedia
Media type code
  • n
System control number
  • (Sirsi) o70265576
  • (OCoLC)70265576
Label
The scientist as rebel, Freeman Dyson
Link
Publication
Bibliography note
Includes bibliographical references (pages 357-360)
Carrier category
volume
Carrier category code
  • nc
Carrier MARC source
rdacarrier
Content category
text
Content type code
  • txt
Content type MARC source
rdacontent
Contents
Contemporary issues in science -- The scientist as rebel -- Can science be ethical? -- A modern heretic -- The future needs us -- What a world! -- Witness to a tragedy -- War and peace -- Bombs and potatoes -- Generals -- Russians -- Pacifists -- The race is over -- The force of reason -- The bitter end -- History of science and scientists -- Two kinds of history -- Edward Teller's Memoirs -- In praise of amateurs -- A new Newton -- Clockwork science -- The world on a string -- Oppenheimer as scientist, administrator, and poet -- Seeing the unseen -- The tragic tale of a genius -- Wise man -- Personal and philosophical essays -- The world, the flesh, and the devil -- Is God in the lab? -- This side idolatry -- One in a million -- Many worlds -- Religion from the outside
Control code
ocm70265576
Dimensions
22 cm
Extent
xvi, 360 pages
Isbn
9781590172162
Lccn
2006022081
Media category
unmediated
Media MARC source
rdamedia
Media type code
  • n
System control number
  • (Sirsi) o70265576
  • (OCoLC)70265576

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