Physics for the rest of us Book

There is practically no area of contemporary life that has not been dramatically transformed by the breathtaking insights and technological applications of twentieth-century physics. The ideas of physics have had an even more profound influence on our deepest assumptions and beliefs about the universe. The study of the heavens has given us not only the space program but also a new story of cosmic creation. Quantum theory has endowed us with microchips and superconductivity as well as a strange and elusive view of the very stuff we are made of. Physics for the Rest of Us describes ten key concepts of modern physics - from Einstein's special and general theories of relativity to the discovery of photons and electrons, quantum theory, and the uncovering of the structure of the atomic nucleus. Roger S. Jones also explores the impact of these ideas on humanist, ethical, psychological, aesthetic, and spiritual concerns, addressing such questions as does science shed light on the meaning of human existence? Are science and religion ultimately in conflict? Are scientific theories independent of those who create them? What are the ethical responsibilities of scientists? Does science always provide the best and most appropriate methods for determining the truth? Physics for the Rest of Us is must reading for those who realize that some knowledge of modern physics is necessary in order to understand our material and spiritual world.