* Preface *1. Science as a Liberal Art *2. Newtonianism, Reductionism, and the Art of Congressional Testimony *3. Newton's Dream *4. Confronting O'Brien *5. The Heritage of Galileo *6. Nature Itself *7. The Boundaries of Scientific Knowledge *8. The Methods of Science...and Those by Which We Live *9. Night Thoughts of a Quantum Physicist *10. Reductionism Redux *11. Physics and History *12. Sokal's Hoax *13. Science and Sokal's Hoax: An Exchange *14. Before the Big Bang *15. Zionism and Its Adversaries *16. The Red Camaro *17. The Non-Revolution of Thomas Kuhn *18. T.S. Kuhn's Non-Revolution: An Exchange *19. The Great Reduction: Physics in the Twentieth Century *20. A Designer Universe? *21. "A Designer Universe?": An Exchange *22. Five and a Half Utopias *23. Looking for Peace in the Science Wars * Sources * Index
Steven Weinberg is a national treasure. Not only is he one of America's greatest physicists, he is also a delightful essayist as well. In Facing Up, he addresses the issues of objectivity, reductionism, and the nature of science in rightful ways sure to outrage postmodernists. -- Eric J. Chaisson, author of Cosmic Evolution In this wonderful and compelling collection of essays, Steven Weinberg--one of the greatest and most influential of physicists--convincingly argues that the more we discover about the laws governing the cosmos, the less it seems that we have any special status or role to play. While Weinberg may well be right regarding the absence of a divine plan for human beings, you cannot help leaving these finely written essays feeling uplifted by the boundless curiosity and ingenuity of the human spirit. -- Brian Greene, author of The Elegant Universe
Steven Weinberg won the Nobel Prize in Physics for his theory unifying two forces of nature, laying the foundation for the Standard Model of subatomic physics. His other awards included the National Medal of Science and eighteen honorary degrees. Among Weinberg’s books are the classic The First Three Minutes and To Explain the World. He was a frequent contributor to the New York Review of Books and taught at the University of Texas.
Steven Weinberg is a national treasure. Not only is he one of
America's greatest physicists, he is also a delightful essayist as
well. In Facing Up, he addresses the issues of objectivity,
reductionism, and the nature of science in rightful ways sure to
outrage postmodernists.
*Eric J. Chaisson, author of Cosmic Evolution*
In this wonderful and compelling collection of essays, Steven
Weinberg--one of the greatest and most influential of
physicists--convincingly argues that the more we discover about the
laws governing the cosmos, the less it seems that we have any
special status or role to play. While Weinberg may well be right
regarding the absence of a divine plan for human beings, you cannot
help leaving these finely written essays feeling uplifted by the
boundless curiosity and ingenuity of the human spirit.
*Brian Greene, author of The Elegant Universe*
In 23 previously published articles and miscellaneous speeches,
which span 15 years, the Nobel Prize-winning particle physicist
takes up arms against a sea of post-modernists, religionists,
mystics, and even some liberal critics of modern science...However,
interspersed with the arguments, counterarguments, and rebuttals of
adversaries are two quieter gems: a tour-de-force summary of
20th-century physics' accomplishments and a brief description of
the moment of inspiration for his development of the theory
unifying the weak and electromagnetic force.
*Kirkus Reviews*
Winner of the Nobel Prize for physics in 1979, Weinberg will be
well known to science buffs for his book The First Three Minutes
and to a wider readership for his frequent essays in the New York
Review of Books. He is one of the foremost proponents of
reductionism, 'the explanation of a wide range of scientific
principles in terms of simpler, more universal ones.' He has also
been a major figure in the so-called science wars, arguing against
writers like Derrida and Latour who question the objective
character of scientific knowledge and maintain that cultural
factors influence the nature of scientific discoveries...Yet he is
quite adept at explaining complex concepts clearly to the general
public.
*Publishers Weekly*
Cogent and lucid, this collection of essays helps general readers
understand both why the so-called science wars have aroused such
passions within the academy and how these wars have affected
sociopolitical events far beyond university campuses.
*Booklist*
The essays in Facing Up are illuminating and entertaining. They
range across many subjects where Mr. Weinberg has points to make or
turf to defend. There are excursions into quantum physics,
cosmology, the history of science, and science's relationships with
politics and religion.
*The Economist*
[Facing Up is] lucidly written as ever, with a gentle humor that
does not hide [Weinberg's] strong convictions on science,
philosophy and religion. I unreservedly recommend it, not only to
scientists but to all who share his beliefs in the contribution
that science has made, and will continue to make, to the way we see
ourselves and our world.
*Times Literary Supplement*
Anyone who has read Weinberg's essays in The New York Review of
Books over the years knows that, in addition to being a superb
popular expositor of science...the distinguished Nobel Prize
physicist has not shied away from polemically treating more
controversial matters as well...Weinberg's writing is a joy.
Difficult ideas are explained in a language that is learned,
unpretentious, elegant, and persuasive all at once--it is the
quality of the ideas that comes through, ideas needing no
embellishing obfuscation of style. Much, much to be learned
here...A valuable, important book. Highly recommended.
*Choice*
People interested in the role of science and technology in our
culture and everyday life, and in its preservation and
strengthening, will find stimulating arguments to compare to their
viewpoints. I have found a reassuring confidence on the universal
standing of science in the shaping of human culture and also an
amusing unifying thread in the fortuitous fact that [these] books
share the rejection of intellectual smokiness as enacted in the
famous Sokal's hoax, a must in any humanity and science curricula
of university classes all over the world.
*History and Philosophy of the Life Sciences*
Weinberg writes well and his clear style and strong opinions hold
the reader's attention. He says he has "a taste for controversy",
and this punchy and provocative writing certainly bears this
out...This is an interesting book, with a lot to question and (I
believe) disagree with, but is well worth reading.
*Nature*
Steven Weinberg inhabits a bleak world infested with adversaries
that he is impelled to combat. He faces up to them with scientific
rigour and lawyerly precision, as readers of this fascinating book
of essays will discover with pleasure...Weinberg is a noble warrior
in the science wars...Read this book.
*Physics World*
Steven Weinberg is a national treasure. Not only is he one of
America's greatest physicists, he is also a delightful essayist as
well. In Facing Up, he addresses the issues of objectivity,
reductionism, and the nature of science in rightful ways sure to
outrage postmodernists. -- Eric J. Chaisson, author of Cosmic
Evolution
In this wonderful and compelling collection of essays, Steven
Weinberg--one of the greatest and most influential of
physicists--convincingly argues that the more we discover about the
laws governing the cosmos, the less it seems that we have any
special status or role to play. While Weinberg may well be right
regarding the absence of a divine plan for human beings, you cannot
help leaving these finely written essays feeling uplifted by the
boundless curiosity and ingenuity of the human spirit. -- Brian
Greene, author of The Elegant Universe
In 23 previously published articles and miscellaneous speeches,
which span 15 years, the Nobel Prize-winning particle physicist
takes up arms against a sea of post-modernists, religionists,
mystics, and even some liberal critics of modern science...However,
interspersed with the arguments, counterarguments, and rebuttals of
adversaries are two quieter gems: a tour-de-force summary of
20th-century physics' accomplishments and a brief description of
the moment of inspiration for his development of the theory
unifying the weak and electromagnetic force. * Kirkus Reviews *
Winner of the Nobel Prize for physics in 1979, Weinberg will be
well known to science buffs for his book The First Three
Minutes and to a wider readership for his frequent essays in
the New York Review of Books. He is one of the foremost
proponents of reductionism, 'the explanation of a wide range of
scientific principles in terms of simpler, more universal ones.' He
has also been a major figure in the so-called science wars, arguing
against writers like Derrida and Latour who question the objective
character of scientific knowledge and maintain that cultural
factors influence the nature of scientific discoveries...Yet he is
quite adept at explaining complex concepts clearly to the general
public. * Publishers Weekly *
Cogent and lucid, this collection of essays helps general readers
understand both why the so-called science wars have aroused such
passions within the academy and how these wars have affected
sociopolitical events far beyond university campuses. -- Bryce
Christensen * Booklist *
The essays in Facing Up are illuminating and entertaining.
They range across many subjects where Mr. Weinberg has points to
make or turf to defend. There are excursions into quantum physics,
cosmology, the history of science, and science's relationships with
politics and religion. * The Economist *
[Facing Up is] lucidly written as ever, with a gentle humor
that does not hide [Weinberg's] strong convictions on science,
philosophy and religion. I unreservedly recommend it, not only to
scientists but to all who share his beliefs in the contribution
that science has made, and will continue to make, to the way we see
ourselves and our world. -- Brian Pippard * Times Literary
Supplement *
Anyone who has read Weinberg's essays in The New York Review of
Books over the years knows that, in addition to being a superb
popular expositor of science...the distinguished Nobel Prize
physicist has not shied away from polemically treating more
controversial matters as well...Weinberg's writing is a joy.
Difficult ideas are explained in a language that is learned,
unpretentious, elegant, and persuasive all at once--it is the
quality of the ideas that comes through, ideas needing no
embellishing obfuscation of style. Much, much to be learned
here...A valuable, important book. Highly recommended. -- M. Schiff
* Choice *
People interested in the role of science and technology in our
culture and everyday life, and in its preservation and
strengthening, will find stimulating arguments to compare to their
viewpoints. I have found a reassuring confidence on the universal
standing of science in the shaping of human culture and also an
amusing unifying thread in the fortuitous fact that [these] books
share the rejection of intellectual smokiness as enacted in the
famous Sokal's hoax, a must in any humanity and science curricula
of university classes all over the world. -- Vittorio Sgaramella *
History and Philosophy of the Life Sciences *
Weinberg writes well and his clear style and strong opinions hold
the reader's attention. He says he has "a taste for controversy",
and this punchy and provocative writing certainly bears this
out...This is an interesting book, with a lot to question and (I
believe) disagree with, but is well worth reading. -- John
Polkinghorne * Nature *
Steven Weinberg inhabits a bleak world infested with adversaries
that he is impelled to combat. He faces up to them with scientific
rigour and lawyerly precision, as readers of this fascinating book
of essays will discover with pleasure...Weinberg is a noble warrior
in the science wars...Read this book. -- John Ellis * Physics World
*
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