UNDERSTANDING SCIENCE

Books of Interest
 Website: chetyarbrough.blog

Science in the 20th Century (A Social-Intellectual Survey)

By: The Great Courses

Narrated By: Steven L. Goldman

Goldman’s review of 2oth century science identifies the fundamental change that has occurred in today’s perception of reality. One wonders if Albert Einstein was wrong about the predictability of science. Even at the end of Einstein’s life, he believed quantum mechanics was just a step in scientific research and not a basis for the truth of reality. Einstein insisted there was an undiscovered law about the nature of reality that would return life to predictability. The details of Goldman’s “Science in the 20th Century” infers otherwise.

What is true of physics in the world, seems true for all the sciences. Whether reviewing the physical, biological, algorithmic, social, or applied sciences, unpredictability exists. Every science seems as unpredictable for the same reason as noted in the science of the quantum world. One cannot identity both position and momentum of an atomic particle at the same time. By the same measure, popularly elected representatives or authoritarian dictatorships cannot be measured by their position and direction of action. One can see a leader’s position but not measure their direction until the direction is past. Who would have thought Hitler would be the instigator of WWII? World leaders today are just as unpredictable. Citizens cannot measure leader’s positions and direction in advance. Citizens can only see one or the other at a specific point in time–never both position and direction at the same time.

The solace in this possible truth is that, though there is still immense societal conflict and inequality in the world, science has improved society.

• Technology has improved communication, transportation and daily life.
• Vaccines, antibiotics, and surgical operations have drastically improved helath and life expectancy.
• The world population has become more literate and has greater access to education than ever before.
• Equality and justice show some progress in human rights, gender equality and social inclusion.
• Enviornmental awareness has improved to combat climate change which has led to renewal energy innovations and conservation initiatives.
• The world has increased connectivity to improve cultural exchange, economic collaboration and shared global interests.

The immense downside of an unpredictive future is the many setbacks that will occur because of inept political leadership. From the perspective of quantum mechanics, one hopes leadership means do not justify humanity’s end.