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Anaximander

And the Nature of Science

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Anaximander

By: Carlo Rovelli, Marion Lignana Rosenberg
Narrated by: Roy McMillan
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

The bestselling author of Seven Brief Lessons on Physics illuminates the nature of science by exploring the revolutionary ideas of one of its great forefathers: the Greek philosopher Anaximander.

Over two millennia ago, a Greek philosopher had a number of wondrous insights that paved the way to cosmology, physics, geography, meteorology, and biology, setting in motion a new way of seeing the world. Anaximander's legacy includes the revolutionary idea that the earth floats in a void, that the world can be understood in natural rather than supernatural terms, that animals evolved, and that universal laws govern all phenomena. He introduced a new mode of rational thinking with an openness to uncertainty and to the progress of knowledge.

In this elegant work, acclaimed physicist Carlo Rovelli brings to light the importance of Anaximander's overlooked legacy to modern science. He examines Anaximander as a scientist interested in shedding light on the deep nature of scientific thinking, which Rovelli locates in his rebellious ability to reimagine the world again and again. Anaximander celebrates the radical lack of certainty that defines the scientific quest for knowledge.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2023 Carlo Rovelli (P)2023 Penguin Audio
Ancient Europe Greece Greek & Roman History History & Philosophy Mathematics Philosophy Science Cosmology Law Ancient History Ancient Greece
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Brilliant history of scientific and religious thinking without being critical of religion. Scary as we still have a long way to go 2,600 years after Anaximander!

A lot more about the evolution of man’s thinking, than a history of Anaximander

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To the author and the translators of his books I am grateful; each new tome presents well a researched framing with multiple threads for one to continue their own studies without the forced narrative so often present in post academia.

Another stellar delivery from Rovelli

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Even the handling of the philosophy of science is mediocre at best; however the book really falls down in its treatments of historical events, such as the Reformation and many others, where the author is not trained, and is presenting his semi-informed view as fact. Thus, this book is representative of the prevailing view among scientists that 'the arts' are easy, that you just say something that 'seems right' and it is right. As such, people who rely on the book to inform them of such matters will be lead astray. Furthermore, it later degenerates into actual propagandising and sloganeering of late XXth Century prejudices.
Also, when choosing a narrator, please don't choose someone with a speech impediment; it's not cool, its not edgy, it's just annoying and makes listening harder.

Surprisingly poor handling of physics

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