Book Club Potluck - What is Real?
Details
Jim B will host our discussion of What Is Real?: The Unfinished Quest for the Meaning of Quantum Physics by Adam Becker. Jim suggested this book.
"A thorough, illuminating exploration of the most consequential controversy raging in modern science." --New York Times Book Review
An Editor's Choice, New York Times Book Review
Longlisted for PEN/E.O. Wilson Prize for Literary Science Writing
Longlisted for Goodreads Choice Award
Every physicist agrees quantum mechanics is among humanity's finest scientific achievements. But ask what it means, and the result will be a brawl. For a century, most physicists have followed Niels Bohr's solipsistic and poorly reasoned Copenhagen interpretation. Indeed, questioning it has long meant professional ruin, yet some daring physicists, such as John Bell, David Bohm, and Hugh Everett, persisted in seeking the true meaning of quantum mechanics. What Is Real? is the gripping story of this battle of ideas and the courageous scientists who dared to stand up for truth.
"An excellent, accessible account." --Wall Street Journal
"Splendid. . . . Deeply detailed research, accompanied by charming anecdotes about the scientists." --Washington Post
If you would like to host one of our events and you have a book in mind, please let me, Karl Kiefer, or Mark Hopkins know, and we will create a Meetup event for your book, assuming your suggested title qualifies as a book on philosophy in our view, and assuming that we deem you to be qualified to host. Our criteria are somewhat vague, but let's just say that we are not interested in books on the supernatural. We are interested in books that you might find in a syllabus for a college philosophy course. We are also focused on finding hosts who have demonstrated ability to direct philosophical conversation. You can always email me at camkruger@gmail.com if you have questions and/or suggestions.
As always, it's essential that everyone who comes to the meeting reads the book in its entirety and brings something for the potluck.
Happy reading!