
Review of The Quantum Ten

The book treats scientific activity as any other cultural activity
making clear that even the most "objective" of our mathematical theories
(like the theories of mathematical physics) ought to be seen as cultural
products within the social and political frame of their conception and
(perhaps more importantly) within the professional and financial strains
and aspirations of their creators. This is indeed the case from the beginning
of abstract mathematical thought in ancient Greece to this day.
There is no deep discussion of the mathematics/concepts of the theory and
an expert in the theory would certainly not become any wiser as to its
meaning. However, the greatest service provided by the text is a better
understanding of the shaky foundations of the theory that was conceived
as an effective model of reality as allowed by the mathematical capabilities
of that time and not at all as a "fundamental" theory as understood today.
The theory emerged as a recipe for understanding experiments with no
intrinsic limits on its applicability or relevance to other situations.
Young people interested in a realistic view of how real science is done
rather than idealized, fairy-tale treatments would find this text interesting.
Review ID: 10000000008160585

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