Table of Contents

Foreword Malcolm Longair; 1. Space-time and cosmology Roger Penrose; 2. The mysteries of quantum physics Roger Penrose; 3. Physics and the mind Roger Penrose; 4. On mentality, quantum mechanics and the actualization of potentialities Abner Shimony; 5. Why physics? Nancy Cartwright; 6. The objections of an unashamed reductionist Stephen Hawking; 7. Response Roger Penrose; Appendix I: Goodstein's theorm and mathematical thinking; Appendix II: Experiments to test gravitationally induced state reduction.

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Accessible and stimulating introduction to Roger Penrose's vision of theoretical physics for the twenty-first century.

Reviews

'To see a scientist of Penrose's ability, stature and achievement toss large parts of modern physics into the air as though juggling balls and try to keep them aloft while marshalling them into a coherent pattern is a thing to behold. It is a wonderful illustration of a first-rate scientist doing what first-rate scientists have always done: make bold conjectures and display them for others to confirm, refute or amend.' Keith Devlin, New Scientist 'When Oxford physicist and mathematician Penrose ... has something to say about general relativity, quantum physics and artificial intelligence, we would do well to listen.' Publishers Weekly 'The book is an attractive and stimulating introduction to some fascinating issues, on some of which (such as the intelligibility of the universe) theists would certainly be able to offer some alternative insights.' John Polkinghorne, Science and Christian Belief '... one could hardly ask for a shrewder or more enthusiastic tour guide to the extremes of physics.' Scientific American '... a stimulating and compact review of Penrose's own thinking.' Bernard Dixon, The Independent '... a stimulating and compact review of Penrose's own thinking.' Bernard Dixon, The Independent '... a stimulating and compact review of Penrose's own thinking.' Bernard Dixon, The Independent '... a stimulating and compact review of Penrose's own thinking.' Bernard Dixon, The Independent '... a stimulating and compact review of Penrose's own thinking.' Bernard Dixon, The Independent '... a stimulating and compact review of Penrose's own thinking.' Bernard Dixon, The Independent '... a stimulating and compact review of Penrose's own thinking.' Bernard Dixon, The Independent '... a stimulating and compact review of Penrose's own thinking.' Bernard Dixon, The Independent

'To see a scientist of Penrose's ability, stature and achievement toss large parts of modern physics into the air as though juggling balls and try to keep them aloft while marshalling them into a coherent pattern is a thing to behold. It is a wonderful illustration of a first-rate scientist doing what first-rate scientists have always done: make bold conjectures and display them for others to confirm, refute or amend.' Keith Devlin, New Scientist 'When Oxford physicist and mathematician Penrose ... has something to say about general relativity, quantum physics and artificial intelligence, we would do well to listen.' Publishers Weekly 'The book is an attractive and stimulating introduction to some fascinating issues, on some of which (such as the intelligibility of the universe) theists would certainly be able to offer some alternative insights.' John Polkinghorne, Science and Christian Belief '... one could hardly ask for a shrewder or more enthusiastic tour guide to the extremes of physics.' Scientific American '... a stimulating and compact review of Penrose's own thinking.' Bernard Dixon, The Independent '... a stimulating and compact review of Penrose's own thinking.' Bernard Dixon, The Independent '... a stimulating and compact review of Penrose's own thinking.' Bernard Dixon, The Independent '... a stimulating and compact review of Penrose's own thinking.' Bernard Dixon, The Independent '... a stimulating and compact review of Penrose's own thinking.' Bernard Dixon, The Independent '... a stimulating and compact review of Penrose's own thinking.' Bernard Dixon, The Independent '... a stimulating and compact review of Penrose's own thinking.' Bernard Dixon, The Independent '... a stimulating and compact review of Penrose's own thinking.' Bernard Dixon, The Independent