The Beginning of Infinity
Explanations That Transform the World
Penguin Publishing Group · Print & ebook · May 29, 2012
The New York Times bestseller A provocative, imaginative exploration of the nature and progress of knowledge In this groundbreaking book, award-winning physicist David Deutsch argues that explanations have a fundamental place in the universe—and that improving them is the basic regulating principle of all successful human endeavor.
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- Who it’s for
- A contemplative tour of how explanations can change what we think is possible.
- Themes
- knowledge, progress, science
- Pacing
- Reflective
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For younger readers: The Way Things Work: Newly Revised Edition, Big Lies, The Story of Science: Newton at the Center
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Start with this bookAbout this book
The New York Times bestseller A provocative, imaginative exploration of the nature and progress of knowledge In this groundbreaking book, award-winning physicist David Deutsch argues that explanations have a fundamental place in the universe—and that improving them is the basic regulating principle of all successful human endeavor.
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Taking us on a journey through every fundamental field of science, as well as the history of civilization, art, moral values, and the theory of political institutions, Deutsch tracks how we form new explanations and drop bad ones, explaining the conditions under which progress—which he argues is potentially boundless—can and cannot happen. Hugely ambitious and highly original, The Beginning of Infinity explores and establishes deep connections between the laws of nature, the human condition, knowledge, and the possibility for progress.
Big Ideas
A contemplative tour of how explanations can change what we think is possible.
Come here for
- Big ideas that link science, history, and society
- A serious, idea-rich read
Expect
- Layered argument
- Conceptual stretch
Where it sits
| Science & Society | 74% |
|---|---|
| Quantum Theory | 28% |
| Systems Theory | 17% |
Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.
Publisher categories
- World History
- Philosophy Writing
- Science & Society
- Authors
- David Deutsch
- Publisher
- Penguin Publishing Group
- Published
- May 29, 2012
- Format
- Print & ebook
- Theme
- knowledge · progress · science
- Reading lane
- World History