What We Believe But Cannot Prove
By Stephen Eustace
This book is not a theory tested, then re-tested and scrutinised by those in the science community, but is the merging of thoughts from some of the most remarkable and free-thinking people across all major faculties of science.
I ask you, the reader, the same question: what do you believe to be true but cannot prove? Brockman’s 2005 question is posed to many brilliant and illustrious minds such as Richard Dawkins, Jared Diamond, Robert Trivers, Steven Pinker, John Horgan and many more who answer it in their own talented styles.
Their philisophical musings range from the freedom of will to the belief in intelligent extra-terrestrials; from the consciousness of cockroaches to the theory of multiple universes; from psycholinguistics to the health risks of mobile phones; and from the belief in God to whether Zen is right or wrong.
Many writers, in order to answer the question, pose others. Is scientific proof, proof in itself? Is what we say accepted or rejected relative to the credence others give us as scientists, based on reputation and records of our previous work? Is our existence merely due to those who perceive us or is everyone else a figment of our imagination?
These sometimes mind-boggling tracks of thought are widespread in this book, and although challenging, are in fact its main attraction - making the reader review his or her own ideals, forever expanding their boundaries of consideration. What is unique, however, is that scientists are willing to share with us their beliefs, proving that scientists do have them.
Opinions are free flowing in this collection of intellects that provides the reader with a refreshing, entertain-ing and thought-provoking insight into the spirit of consciousness, reaching out to those within science and beyond it.
I believe this book is excellent, yet I cannot prove it. Or can I?
[John Brockman (editor), What we believe but cannot prove: today’s leading thinkers on science in the age of certainty. Free Press, ISBN 0-7432-7592-6, 2005].
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See www.edge.org for more information - Edge is devoted to discussions of cutting edge science.
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