The Physicist and the Philosopher: Einstein, Bergson, and the Debate That Changed Our Understanding of Time
$24.95
Description
Book Synopsis: The explosive debate that transformed our views about time and scientific truth
On April 6, 1922, in Paris, Albert Einstein and Henri Bergson publicly debated the nature of time. Einstein considered Bergson's theory of time to be a soft, psychological notion, irreconcilable with the quantitative realities of physics. Bergson, who gained fame as a philosopher by arguing that time should not be understood exclusively through the lens of science, criticized Einstein's theory of time for being a metaphysics grafted on to science, one that ignored the intuitive aspects of time.
The Physicist and the Philosopher tells the remarkable story of how this explosive debate transformed our understanding of time and drove a rift between science and the humanities that persists today.
Jimena Canales introduces readers to the revolutionary ideas of Einstein and Bergson, describes how they dramatically collided in Paris, and traces how this clash of worldviews reverberated across the twentieth century. She shows how it provoked responses from figures such as Bertrand Russell and Martin Heidegger, and carried repercussions for American pragmatism, logical positivism, phenomenology, and quantum mechanics. Canales explains how the new technologies of the period—such as wristwatches, radio, and film—helped to shape people’s conceptions of time and further polarized the public debate. She also discusses how Bergson and Einstein, toward the end of their lives, each reflected on his rival’s legacy—Bergson during the Nazi occupation of Paris and Einstein in the context of the first hydrogen bomb explosion.
The Physicist and the Philosopher is a magisterial and revealing account that shows how scientific truth was placed on trial in a divided century marked by a new sense of time.
Details
Discover the fascinating clash that changed the course of our understanding of time forever. The Physicist and the Philosopher is a gripping account of the monumental debate between legends Albert Einstein and Henri Bergson. This explosive confrontation challenged the very foundations of scientific truth, unraveling the secrets of time and propelling mankind into a new era of knowledge.
Step into the heart of Paris in 1922 as two extraordinary minds collide in a battle of ideas. Einstein, the renowned physicist, dismissed Bergson's theory of time as purely psychological, arguing that it lacked the quantifiable evidence that science demands. However, Bergson, a celebrated philosopher, staunchly defended the intuitive nature of time, denouncing Einstein's view as a cold metaphysical construct.
Jimena Canales skillfully recounts this historic debate, revealing its profound impact on the scientific and philosophical landscape of the twentieth century. The ripple effects of this clash echoed throughout history, garnering responses from influential figures such as Bertrand Russell and Martin Heidegger. In addition, it left indelible marks on American pragmatism, logical positivism, phenomenology, and even quantum mechanics.
Explore how technological advancements, from wristwatches to radio, shaped society's perception of time, fuelling the intense polarity surrounding the debate. Canales expertly navigates the complexities, shedding light on the far-reaching consequences of this clash on our collective understanding of time.
As you delve into the pages of The Physicist and the Philosopher, be prepared for a thought-provoking journey that spans philosophy, science, and history. Immerse yourself in the legacy of these extraordinary thinkers and join the discourse that continues to shape our understanding of time today.
Get your copy of The Physicist and the Philosopher today and unravel the mysteries of time with us.
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