Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Close, Frank (2009): Nothing - A Very Short Introduction

What is it about?

The book offers a brief discussion about "nothing".

However, "nothing" is not understood as a philosophical notion, but a physical one. Thus, the book mainly discusses about the void and the origins of the universe (out of nothing).

Was it good?

I actually expected the book to be substantially more philosophical by its nature. This philosophical stance is there, but really only in the first chapter.

From there onwards, the book is - dare I say - a fairly standard introduction into fundamental physics, with a particular emphasis on the void, and how our understanding (and even acceptance) of the void has developed over the time.

Truth to be told, I probably would have enjoyed a more philosophical book more, but I can't say that I didn't enjoy the book reasonably as it stands.

The main take-away for me?

I had failed to fully realize previously how instrumental high-energy physics is in advancing our understanding about where the universe has come from; i.e. how the big bang "brought about everything".

This is, without doubt, a failure of understanding by me, but this book did an excellent job in explaining how high-energy particle physics can recreate the conditions prevailing very, very shortly after the big bang, and how consequently "we" are able to better understand the nature of the big bang and perhaps even where it came from (i.e. what there was "before").

Who should read the book?

I would recommend this book to those who want to have a brief introduction into fundamental physics. Those, however, would like to have a more philosophical treatment, have to look elsewhere.

The book on Amazon.com: Nothing - A Very Short Introduction

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