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Anaximander

And the Nature of Science

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Anaximander

By: Carlo Rovelli, Marion Lignana Rosenberg
Narrated by: Roy McMillan
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

The bestselling author of Seven Brief Lessons on Physics illuminates the nature of science by exploring the revolutionary ideas of one of its great forefathers: the Greek philosopher Anaximander.

Over two millennia ago, a Greek philosopher had a number of wondrous insights that paved the way to cosmology, physics, geography, meteorology, and biology, setting in motion a new way of seeing the world. Anaximander's legacy includes the revolutionary idea that the earth floats in a void, that the world can be understood in natural rather than supernatural terms, that animals evolved, and that universal laws govern all phenomena. He introduced a new mode of rational thinking with an openness to uncertainty and to the progress of knowledge.

In this elegant work, acclaimed physicist Carlo Rovelli brings to light the importance of Anaximander's overlooked legacy to modern science. He examines Anaximander as a scientist interested in shedding light on the deep nature of scientific thinking, which Rovelli locates in his rebellious ability to reimagine the world again and again. Anaximander celebrates the radical lack of certainty that defines the scientific quest for knowledge.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2023 Carlo Rovelli (P)2023 Penguin Audio
Ancient Europe Greece Greek & Roman History History & Philosophy Mathematics Philosophy Science Cosmology Law Ancient History Ancient Greece

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All stars
Most relevant
Love all of Carlo’s work, this book is a little less scientific than his previous works but as always screams his balanced yet philosophical views of science and humanity. Read/listen to this but don’t forget to pick up his other works too.

Carlo is a magnificent author

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Covering science, history, humanity, wonderfully read. Yes there is physics but this is more.

Brilliant listen

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After an introduction to the important but little known Greek philosopher, Anaxamander, there follows a very interesting discussion on the relationship between science and religion.

Impressive scope

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Rovelli does a splendid job introducing us (well me) to Anaxamanda and then takes us through a wonderful journey in time and of thought.
Of the many great thoughts posed, “the student follows the master yet looks for his mistakes”.
So much healthy thought

Thank you Carlo

Cleverly Challenging

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The way Carlo Rovelli distils knowledge into wisdom is simply poetic.
If we a actually knew with certainty in engineering, we would not have to design things 20 time greater than is theoretically necessary…

„We do not think, thoughts pass through us“

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