On Science

Can science explain everything? Ridley, a physicist himself, explores this question and more in this compelling exploration of both the scope and limits of science. Tracing back to the roots of scientific thinking in a world of "magical ideals," he argues that science shares more with magic than we are often led to believe. The book also explores the overlooked relationship between science and mathematics and the uneasy relationship between the two. This is neatly linked to a fascinating discussion of relativity and quantum theory, reminding us of the many perspectives offeredwithinscience. The book closes with an important look at the often utopian scientific ideals of future societies.

Brian Ridley is Professor of Physics at the University of Essex