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Do there really exist laws of Nature out there waiting to be
discovered? How did this notion of laws of Nature arise? And are these laws the
ultimate reality or merely pieces of temporary legislation enacted by ourselves
to guide us through the jungle of experience? Why are they so well described by
mathematics? Are they the same everywhere and everywhen? Is it even possible that
there really are no laws of Nature at all -- that they are an illusion? How does
our own existence limit what can be known about the Universe?
This book presents a wide-ranging interdisciplinary
study of the evolving concept of laws of Nature. From the
magical notions of primitive cultures to the latest ideas
about chaos, black holes, inflation, and superstrings the
author traces the gradual development of our concept of
what laws of Nature are and how we come to know them. The
scientific and mathematical topics discussed are of major
importance to philosophers and scientists. This book gives
them the opportunity to see these new ideas discussed in
a serious but non-technical style within a historical context.
John D. Barrow is Lecturer in Astronomy at
the University of Sussex. |
