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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
informative
reflective
fast-paced
reflective
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
A great glimpse into the ideas of the role of science in the 1960s from a guy who was there. He's too pro-military for my taste, and too steeped in cold war ideology. But he talks about the role of science in politics and religion and morality. Good stuff.
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
“I think that there are many mature scientists, or men who consider themselves mature—and if you didn’t know about their religious beliefs ahead of time you would decide that they are mature—who do not believe in God. As a matter of fact, I think that the answer is the exact reverse. It isn’t that he knows it all, but he suddenly realizes that he doesn’t know it all.”
I think Dr. Feynman was a really cool guy. I believe his main point for this lecture is that in science and in life, doubt is a good thing and it is essential. If you think you know all the answers, you wouldn’t want to ask anymore questions. And questions, doubts, uncertainties, however you want to refer to them, are the key to progress.
It’s a nice quick read. Keep in mind that this was a lecture held at a university and is structured for that intended audience. Feynman’s thoughts bounce around and occasionally circle back, but this is not a prepared novel, it’s a lecture. A good one too and I very much enjoyed reading it.
Rating: 4 Stars
I think Dr. Feynman was a really cool guy. I believe his main point for this lecture is that in science and in life, doubt is a good thing and it is essential. If you think you know all the answers, you wouldn’t want to ask anymore questions. And questions, doubts, uncertainties, however you want to refer to them, are the key to progress.
It’s a nice quick read. Keep in mind that this was a lecture held at a university and is structured for that intended audience. Feynman’s thoughts bounce around and occasionally circle back, but this is not a prepared novel, it’s a lecture. A good one too and I very much enjoyed reading it.
Rating: 4 Stars
informative
slow-paced
This was a 5 paragraph essay of points and topics made into a 100+ page book 🤷
funny
informative
reflective
fast-paced
A really nice and short read on the meaning of doing science and it’s inherent uncertainty. A very useful read for aspiring scientists as well as the average layman.
Ramblings of a genius. Although some of the examples in this book are starting to date, and although I don't agree with him on all points (especially with regard to science and morality) this book is very challenging and thought provoking read. It made me think about the roots of our actions, how reasoned we are in certain areas of our lives, and how quickly science is moving, even from when these lectures were given.
informative
medium-paced
I took way too long reading this book.
"Doubt is clearly a value in the sciences."
"It is a great adventure to contemplate the universe-"
"No government has the right to decide on the truth of scientific principles, nor to prescribe in any way the character of the questions investigated. Neither may a government determine the aesthetic value of artistic creations, nor limit the forms of literary or artistic expression. Nor should it pronounce on the validity of economic, historic, religious, or philosophical doctrines. Instead it has a duty to its citizens to maintain the freedom, to let those citizens contribute to the further adventure and the development of the human race."
"People say life can’t exist without air, but it does under water; in fact it started in the sea. You have to be able to move around and have nerves. Plants have no nerves. Just think a few minutes of the variety of life that there is."
"As I say, I know a lot of people. Ordinary people. And I think their intelligence is being insulted. I mean there’s all kinds of things. You turn on the radio; if you have any soul, you go crazy."
"Doubt is clearly a value in the sciences."
"It is a great adventure to contemplate the universe-"
"No government has the right to decide on the truth of scientific principles, nor to prescribe in any way the character of the questions investigated. Neither may a government determine the aesthetic value of artistic creations, nor limit the forms of literary or artistic expression. Nor should it pronounce on the validity of economic, historic, religious, or philosophical doctrines. Instead it has a duty to its citizens to maintain the freedom, to let those citizens contribute to the further adventure and the development of the human race."
"People say life can’t exist without air, but it does under water; in fact it started in the sea. You have to be able to move around and have nerves. Plants have no nerves. Just think a few minutes of the variety of life that there is."
"As I say, I know a lot of people. Ordinary people. And I think their intelligence is being insulted. I mean there’s all kinds of things. You turn on the radio; if you have any soul, you go crazy."