Experiment, Theory, Practice : Articles and Addresses

P L Kapitza

ISBN 10: 9027710619 / ISBN 13: 9789027710611

Published by Springer Apr 1980, 1980

About this Item

Neuware - In tbis splendid collection of the articles and addresses of P. L. Kapitza, the author remarks on the insight of the 18th century Ukrainian philosopher Skovoroda who wrote: 'We must be grateful to God that He created the world in such a way that everytbing simple is true, and everything compli cated is untrue. ' At another place, Kapitza meditates on the roles played by instinct, imagination, audacity, experiment, and hard work in the develop ment of science, and for a moment seems to despair at understanding the dogged arguments of great scientists: 'Einstein loved to refer to God when there was no more sensible argument!' With Academician Kapitza, there are reasoned arguments, plausible alter natives, humor and humane discipline, energy and patience, a skill for the practical, and transcendent clarity about what is at issue in theoretical practice as in engineering necessities. Kapitza has been physicist, engineer, research manager, teacher, humanist, and tbis book demonstrates that he is a wise interpreter of historical, philosophical, and social realities. He is also, in C. P. Snow's words, strong, brave, and good (Variety of Men, N. Y. 1966, p. 19). In this preface, we shall point to themes from Kapitza's interpretations of science and life. On scientific work. Good work is never done with someone else's hands. The separation of theory from experience, from experimental work, and from practice, above all harms theory itself.

Seller Inventory # 9789027710611

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Experiment, Theory, Practice : Articles and Addresses
• Publisher: Springer Apr 1980
• Publication Date: 1980
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 9027710619
• ISBN 13: 9789027710611
• Binding: Buch
• Condition: Neu
• Dimensions: 241W x 160H x 30D millimeters 241 millimeters width by 160 millimeters height by 30 millimeters depth
• Weight: 857 grams

About this title

Synopsis

In tbis splendid collection of the articles and addresses of P. L. Kapitza, the author remarks on the insight of the 18th century Ukrainian philosopher Skovoroda who wrote: "We must be grateful to God that He created the world in such a way that everytbing simple is true, and everything compli­ cated is untrue. " At another place, Kapitza meditates on the roles played by instinct, imagination, audacity, experiment, and hard work in the develop­ ment of science, and for a moment seems to despair at understanding the dogged arguments of great scientists: "Einstein loved to refer to God when there was no more sensible argument!" With Academician Kapitza, there are reasoned arguments, plausible alter­ natives, humor and humane discipline, energy and patience, a skill for the practical, and transcendent clarity about what is at issue in theoretical practice as in engineering necessities. Kapitza has been physicist, engineer, research manager, teacher, humanist, and tbis book demonstrates that he is a wise interpreter of historical, philosophical, and social realities. He is also, in C. P. Snow's words, strong, brave, and good (Variety of Men, N. Y. 1966, p. 19). In this preface, we shall point to themes from Kapitza's interpretations of science and life. On scientific work. Good work is never done with someone else's hands. The separation of theory from experience, from experimental work, and from practice, above all harms theory itself.

Language Notes

Text: English, Russian (translation)