Synopsis
A study that reviews the history and accomplishments of science to this point in history also explores the future agenda of science
Reviews
Maddox, editor of Nature from 1966 to 1973 and 1980 to 1996, suggests that a book of the same title could have been written in 1700, 1800 and 1900, each looking back on the scientific achievements of the previous century and seeing how many questions remained unanswered. And now? "Despite assertions to the contrary, the lode of discovery is far from worked out." Indeed, he says, "there is no field of science that is free from glaring ignorance, even contradiction." Cautioning that what remains to be discovered is not necessarily the same as what will be discovered, because progress in science is so often like "unscrewing successive doll-cases," he focuses on several subjects that seem ripe for major discoveries: the structure of space, a full description of the human genome, the origin of life on Earth, the detailed course of human evolution and an understanding of how the brain works. And no matter how many questions are answered, people a century from now "will be occupied with questions we do not yet have the wit to ask."
Despite some smug statements to the contrary, the work of science is far from complete; here a former editor of Nature takes a look at the uncharted territory ahead. Any honest attempt to deal with this subjectand Maddox is quite honestmust recognize that in many cases we have no idea what questions the future will be trying to answer. Maddox illustrates this point in his introduction, deftly summarizing four centuries of scientific history to show how each new era explored problems its predecessors couldnt have foreseen. He then takes a look ahead in three broad areas of science, under the headings matter (i.e. physics), life (biology), and our world (a catchall). Skeptical of attempts to create a ``theory of everything,'' Maddox foresees a ``new physics,'' growing from some breakthrough we cannot predict. Meanwhile, puzzles abound: either the universe as a whole is younger than some of its stars or some extremely sophisticated measurements of those ages are flat wrong. The true nature of quasars remains undiscovered, as does the nature and location of the ``dark matter'' that theory demands to keep galaxies from flying apart. At the other end of the scale, a complete theory of the building blocks of matter seems no closer now than it did a century ago, despite enormous progress. The Higgs boson, a subatomic particle the existence of which is vital to current theory, eludes detection. And gravitation stubbornly resists explanation in terms of quantum theory. In the life sciences, there is still no accepted explanation of how life originated. Nor, despite growing confidence that it must be so, is there definitive evidence of life beyond Earth. Maddox gives a remarkably clear picture of current scienceand of the cutting edge. Wide-ranging, clearly written, and provocative. A must-read for students of science. (Book-of-the-Month Club/Quality Paperback Book Club alternate selection) -- Copyright ©1998, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
As the editor of Nature, one of the world's premiere scientific journals, for nearly a quarter century, Maddox (Beyond the Energy Crisis, etc.) is uniquely positioned to reflect on the nature of science, both its successes and its challenges. He does so exceedingly well here. Reaching back to the dawn of civilization, Maddox provides an insightful view into the history and philosophy of science. By focusing on some of the "big" fields of science?cosmology, quantum mechanics, cell biology, genetics, evolution and neuroscience, for example?he has crafted a primer worthy of study. But this is not an introduction for the uninitiated. Maddox, assuming his readers are conversant with basic scientific thinking, wastes no time on first principles. The most futuristic chapter, which deals with possible calamities that might befall the human race, is also the most accessible. In it, Maddox discusses the threats arising from emerging diseases, global warming, asteroid impact and the possible instability of the human genome. Throughout this admirable if sometimes difficult work, Maddox evinces wisdom won over a lifetime, arguing articulately about the complementarity of pure and applied research while recognizing that many of our most pressing problems must incorporate a political as well as a technical dimension. BOMC and QPB alternates; author tour.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Former Nature editor Maddox imparts an acute awareness of the edges of knowledge in the fields of cosmology, quantum mechanics, prebiotic chemistry and genetics, and neurology. His views constitute a stimulating riposte to contemporary blather about an end to science, the dream of ambitious physicists working to formulate a theory of everything (TOE). A TOE would have to incorporate gravity with the three forces (the strong and weak nuclear forces and electromagnetism) already theoretically unified, an elusive goal whose problems of achievement Maddox presents with clarity and sophistication. In the other fields Maddox attends, research also contends with "glaring ignorance," so he presents an agenda for basic data collection. For example, the comprehensiveness of the big bang theory contrasts with the spottiness of knowledge about the expansion of matter even in our galactic neighborhood, let alone the whole universe. Similar lacunae plague biology's search for an explanation of life's origin and neurology's explanation of consciousness. Admonishing that science be humble and inquisitive, Maddox shows how it can be in the coming century. Gilbert Taylor
The editor emeritus of Nature has reported and commented on many of the greatest scientific discoveries of the 20th century. It is the 21st century, however, that really excites him. He surveys what he thinks will come to pass in science and technology.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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