Lost in math: how beauty leads physics astray

"Whether pondering black holes or predicting discoveries at CERN, physicists believe the best theories are beautiful, natural, and elegant, and this standard separates popular theories from disposable ones. This is why, Sabine Hossenfelder argues, we have not seen a major breakthrough in the fo...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Hossenfelder, Sabine 1976- (Author)
Format: Book
Language:English
Published: New York Basic Books 2018
Edition:First edition
Subjects:
Online Access:Inhaltsverzeichnis
Summary:"Whether pondering black holes or predicting discoveries at CERN, physicists believe the best theories are beautiful, natural, and elegant, and this standard separates popular theories from disposable ones. This is why, Sabine Hossenfelder argues, we have not seen a major breakthrough in the foundations of physics for more than four decades. The belief in beauty has become so dogmatic that it now conflicts with scientific objectivity: observation has been unable to confirm mindboggling theories, like supersymmetry or grand unification, invented by physicists based on aesthetic criteria. Worse, these "too good to not be true" theories are actually untestable and they have left the field in a cul-de-sac. To escape, physicists must rethink their methods. Only by embracing reality as it is can science discover the truth"...
Item Description:Includes bibliographical references and index
Physical Description:XI, 291 Seiten Illustrationen, 1 Portrait
ISBN:9780465094257
0465094252

There is no print copy available.

Interlibrary loan Place Request Caution: Not in THWS collection! Indexes