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  • The Meaning of it All

  • Thoughts of a Citizen-Scientist
  • By: Richard P. Feynman
  • Narrated by: Raymond Todd
  • Length: 2 hrs and 50 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (220 ratings)
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The Meaning of it All cover art

The Meaning of it All

By: Richard P. Feynman
Narrated by: Raymond Todd
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Summary

In this collection of lectures that Richard Feynman originally gave in 1963, unpublished during his lifetime, the Nobel Prize-winning physicist discusses several of the ultimate questions of science. What is the nature of the tension between science and religious faith? Why does uncertainty play such a crucial role in the scientific imagination? Is this really a scientific age?

Marked by Feynman's characteristic combination of rationality and humor, these lectures provide an intimate glimpse at the man behind the legend. He says at the start of his final lecture, "I dedicate this lecture to showing what ridiculous conclusions and rare statements such a man as myself can make." Rare, perhaps, and irreverent, sure. But ridiculous? Not even close.

©1998 Michelle Feynman and Carl Feynman (P)2007 Blackstone Audio Inc.

What listeners say about The Meaning of it All

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Inspired, but demanding

The lecture covers a wide range of thoughts on finding meaning in life and in what we do. The depth of thought is thoroughly exploring most aspects of every day interest and although he comes clearly from a scientist's point of view, this is a philosophical exploration of meaning for all aspects of human existence in a form that is accessible for everybody. No prior knowledge is required.
The only criticism I have is that occasionally the listener has to pay close attention of context, as Feynman is quick in assuming you know what he means with "so on and so on" or similarly referential shortcuts.
If you want to learn more about how/where to find meaning and you find that you dislike grande ideologies, like me when I chose this audiobook, this book will provide great inspiration.

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • LC
  • 31-08-21

Another amazing Feynman book

I found this one just as thought provoking, educational and enjoyable as the other Feynman books that I have listened to so far. Well worth listening to.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Richard P. Feynman. The tutor.

A lifelong love and admiration of such a sentient being has taught me to question all authorities, something I still do to this day even to the self centred uniformed youth who have become what I term "Google-heads" who over the last 20 years have raised their collective consensus into a "Google worshiping" society without any realisation that "Google" is the 21st century Bible that has as many chapters of disinformation and contradictions as the Holy Bible or for that matter any religious tome contains.
Will it end in another lost generation to mass information without clear boundaries and the necessary doubt as law?
Even my generation of post WW2 almost lost the individual will to stand up for one's own convictions and not be pressed to take authorities as sacrosanct entities, I think all that can be said is to let us see what transpires over the decades to come as the avalanche begins to settle.
I add as I have always done that technology and science is not at fault it is the scientist and technicians who advocate and promote the preordaind values of "progress" they aquire in the indoctrination into the respective entities the majority will sadly take for granted.
I end with this statement "progress is the offspring of failure".
P.S. I use the term "Google" as the analogy of the Internet and computer technology of which I have decades of experience.
Tom O'Rourke 1953...?

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Very enjoyable

Sound arguments in an enjoyable manner. A very good book by an undervalued genius. It is also a good book to start with if you are not familiar with Feynman.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

You gotta love Feynman!

A great physicist, a great man, and above all, a great story teller!
He is really good and engaging. Really enjoyed this lectures

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Good lectures

This is an audiobook of some lectures given by Feynman on methodology in science and on politics. The narrator reads it clearly. If you want to know what Feynman thought about these subjects you should listen to it.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Honestly one of the worst audio books i have listened to if not the worst

The extract was really interesting, so was the start of the book. Normally i listen to books about astro physics, evolution, human gnome etc so i thought to buy this book to try a different thing. Worst decision, the author blabbers and comments about just the randomest of stuff without any link or context, not sure what the topic is he is trying to cover, is it an abstract ? We wont know.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Awful performance

Narrator doesn’t seem to have any grasp of what is being said, as emphasis and intonation is consistently all over the place. None of Feynmann’s wit, sparkle, or cheek is conveyed, instead being rendered positively clunky at times. Good, interesting book though

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Great narration but I wish they’d label the chapters

A nice short listen. Some interesting topics discussed and still of relevance today. Great narration.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Always wanted to hear what the great man was like

How enlightening to hear the great man telling it how it is in plainish language

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