The Beginning of Infinity by David Deutsch

The Beginning of Infinity

Explanations That Transform the World

David Deutsch

Penguin Publishing Group · Print & ebook · May 29, 2012

The New York Times bestseller A provocative, imaginative exploration of the nature and progress of knowledge In this groundbreaking book, award-winning physicist David Deutsch argues that explanations have a fundamental place in the universe—and that improving them is the basic regulating principle of all successful human endeavor.

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Who it’s for
A contemplative tour of how explanations can change what we think is possible.
Themes
knowledge, progress, science
Pacing
Reflective

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About this book

The New York Times bestseller A provocative, imaginative exploration of the nature and progress of knowledge In this groundbreaking book, award-winning physicist David Deutsch argues that explanations have a fundamental place in the universe—and that improving them is the basic regulating principle of all successful human endeavor.

Continue reading

Taking us on a journey through every fundamental field of science, as well as the history of civilization, art, moral values, and the theory of political institutions, Deutsch tracks how we form new explanations and drop bad ones, explaining the conditions under which progress—which he argues is potentially boundless—can and cannot happen. Hugely ambitious and highly original, The Beginning of Infinity explores and establishes deep connections between the laws of nature, the human condition, knowledge, and the possibility for progress.

Big Ideas

A contemplative tour of how explanations can change what we think is possible.

Come here for

  • Big ideas that link science, history, and society
  • A serious, idea-rich read

Expect

  • Layered argument
  • Conceptual stretch

Where it sits

Science & Society74%
Quantum Theory28%
Systems Theory17%

Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.

Publisher categories

  • World History
  • Philosophy Writing
  • Science & Society
Authors
David Deutsch
Publisher
Penguin Publishing Group
Published
May 29, 2012
Format
Print & ebook
Theme
knowledge · progress · science
Reading lane
World History