A Sense of the Mysterious: Science and the Human Spirit
From the bestselling author of Einstein's Dreams comes this lyrical and insightful collection of science writing that delves into the mysteries of the scientific process--physics, astronomy, mathematics--and exposes its beauty and intrigue.
In these brilliant essays, Lightman explores the emotional life of science, the power of imagination, the creative moment, and the alternate ways in which scientists and humanists think about the world. Along the way, he provides in-depth portraits of some of the great geniuses of our time, including Albert Einstein, Richard Feynman, Edward Teller, and astronomer Vera Rubin.
What Makes This Collection Essential
This paperback edition brings together Lightman's most thought-provoking essays on the intersection of science and humanities. The author examines the creative process in scientific discovery, revealing how imagination and intuition play crucial roles alongside logic and mathematics. Each essay illuminates a different aspect of scientific thinking, from theoretical physics to observational astronomy.
Featured Scientists and Concepts
The book includes detailed examinations of Albert Einstein's revolutionary approach to physics, Richard Feynman's unique problem-solving methods, and Vera Rubin's groundbreaking work in astronomy. Lightman draws from his dual background in science and humanities to present these figures not just as researchers, but as creative thinkers who transformed our understanding of the universe.
About Alan Lightman
Alan Lightman is the author of seven novels, including the international bestseller Einstein's Dreams and The Diagnosis, a finalist for the National Book Award. He has taught at Harvard and at MIT, where he was the first person to receive a dual faculty appointment in science and the humanities. He is the host of the public television series Searching: Our Quest for Meaning in the Age of Science. He is a professor of the practice of the humanities at MIT.
Thoughtful, beautifully written, and wonderfully original, A Sense of the Mysterious confirms Alan Lightman's unique position at the crossroads of science and art. Published by Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, this collection appeals to readers interested in science philosophy, the history of scientific thought, and the creative processes that drive discovery.
