Facing up. Science and its cultural adversaries (Q2757393)

The author of this well-written and interesting collection of essays and talks received the 1979 Nobel Prize in Physics for the important work on the theory underlying the unification of electromagnetic and weak interactions. He is a philosophical Realist in the sense that he is convinced there is a final physical theory with a complete explanation of nature; physics has not achieved its Gödel yet!NEWLINENEWLINENEWLINEIn the world of the politics of modern science, the author discusses his interaction with lawmakers/funders on two major topics: (unsuccessful) plans to develop a Superconducting Super Collider and (naive) ideas on the Strategic Defense Initiative.NEWLINENEWLINENEWLINEThe broad range of topics presented in the book include: Newton's Dream; the Heritage of Galileo; Reductionism; Sokal's Hoax; Before the Big Bang; the non-revolution of Thomas Kuhn; and Zionism and its Adversaries. Further, there is much detailed and carefully reasoned discussion on the future of science.NEWLINENEWLINENEWLINEThe book is highly recommended to philosophers of science and the general reader interested in the interaction of science and human culture.