Product Description

Will we ever discover a single scientific theory that tells us everything that has happened, and everything that will happen, on every level in the Universe? The quest for the theory of everything - a single key that unlocks all the secrets of the Universe - is no longer a pipe-dream, but the focus of some of our most exciting research about the structure of the cosmos. But what might such a theory look like? What would it mean? And how close are we to getting there? In New Theories of Everything, John D. Barrow describes the ideas and controversies surrounding the ultimate explanation. Updating his earlier work Theories of Everything with the very latest theories and predictions, he tells of the M-theory of superstrings and multiverses, of speculations about the world as a computer program, and of new ideas of computation and complexity. But this is not solely a book about modern ideas in physics - Barrow also considers and reflects on the philosophical and cultural consequences of those ideas, and their implications for our own existence in the world. Far from there being a single theory uniquely specifying the constants and forces of nature, the picture today is of a vast landscape of different logically possible laws and constants in many dimensions, of which our own world is but a shadow: a tiny facet of a higher dimensional reality. But this is not to say we should give up in bewilderment: Barrow shows how many rich and illuminating theories and questions arise, and what this may mean for our understanding of our own place in the cosmos.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #28911 in Books
• Published on: 2008-09-18
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 272 pages

Customer Reviews

Old wine in a new bottle
This is a pretty dull reworking of John Barrow's Theories of Everything from about 20 years ago. He hasn't bothered to update it very much, and is mainly interested in the philosophical aspects of what we mean by the laws of nature and so on. All very well in its place, but not the place to look if you want what the title implies, the latest hot news about string theory and membranes.

Everything Must go


According to John D Barrow the idea of a Theory of Everything is simple. It is to provide "a single all-embracing picture of all the laws of Nature from which the inevitability of all things must follow with unimpeachable logic" knowing that through this theory "we could read the book of Nature in all tenses: we could understand all that was, is and is to come."

Barrow rejects this notion. "There is no formula that can deliver all truth, all harmony, all simplicity. No Theory of Everything can ever provide provide total insight. For, to see through everything, would leave us seeing nothing at all."

In between these opening and closing statements of his book Barrow explores the never ending human search and thirst for absolute knowledge which has been with us since the beginning of the human race (whenever that was and whatever relevant form it took). Whether that search has found expression in religious or scientific terms is irrelevant, the fact remains that there is much we do not know and may probably never know.

The divergence between the philosophical and physical aspects of Theories of Everything is where disputes arise and, notwithstanding attempts to provide a physical theory, the concept remains an essentially philosophical one. Some physicists may regard themselves as prophets of the future but they are essentially observers of the past. The question of whether that knowledge was gained by a priori or empirical observation is deemed more important than might actually be the case.

The book is a heady mixture of science and philosophy encompassing ideas of both the mind of man and the mind of God. Barrow concludes that it is only when we know the latter that we shall understand the former. In understanding science we understand God. Given the modern predilection to separate science from theology it is hardly surprising that followers of both schools may find Barrow's line of thinking unsatisfactory.

Barrow provides an excellent survey of the historical evidence showing how even great physicists of their day were defeated in their attempt to find answers to everything. It still remains a weakness of modern science that many believe they have and they can. The science and the philosophy are broken up with pithy statements from a variety of sources including George Bernard Shaw's suggestion that, "The English are not a very spiritual people. So they invented cricket to give them some idea of eternity".

Humans have intelligence, brain power and verbal skills. Barrow's book presents humanity at its best. Challenging, provocative and intellectually demanding. Well worth the challenge, well worth the money. If there's only four stars it's not because of a lack of effort on Barrow's part but because he probably over-estimates the intellect and intelligence of his readers.