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acollierastro's review against another edition
3.0
I don't know why I keep reading these popular science books. They all say the same things.
warrensampson's review against another edition
5.0
A profoundly interesting take on humans, knowledge and a whole lot of other seemingly unrelated subjects. This book was a joy to read, with frequent notes of optimism about the present and future of humanity. Will absolutely be returning to reread chapters or maybe the entire book in search of deeper understanding of what Deutsch has written.
yates9's review against another edition
5.0
This is a philosophy text that is clear, accessible and transformative. It presents a world view that reaches out into many dimensions of human life.
I am a mostly cynical contrarian with respect to simple ideas that explain the world but with this book I find an exception. David Deutsch flips some of the most ingrained views we have into simple explanations, and he orchestrates it into a pragmatic, positive view of the advancement of knowledge.
This book really should be, not only read but understood as a choice of vision by everyone. Whether one then chooses an alternate view on the world, it will be with the awareness of what was lost.
I am a mostly cynical contrarian with respect to simple ideas that explain the world but with this book I find an exception. David Deutsch flips some of the most ingrained views we have into simple explanations, and he orchestrates it into a pragmatic, positive view of the advancement of knowledge.
This book really should be, not only read but understood as a choice of vision by everyone. Whether one then chooses an alternate view on the world, it will be with the awareness of what was lost.
rymdkejsaren's review against another edition
5.0
Every evil is due to a lack of knowledge.
Whenever I think I've read the most fascinating book I'll ever read, I am pleasantly surprised that another one is around the corner. And that's what this book is about: How there is no end to the universe's capacity to surprise and amaze us.
David Deutsch writes with incredible clarity about how he sees the future of human progress and tackles vast and complex subject matter in a way that makes it accessible to people who do not possess his deep knowledge and rare insight.
There are so many things I want to say about this book. About problems and explanations, about pessimism and optimism. But it would take up too much space and could only ever be a shadow on the wall of a cave. So I'll say only one thing: Read it.
Whenever I think I've read the most fascinating book I'll ever read, I am pleasantly surprised that another one is around the corner. And that's what this book is about: How there is no end to the universe's capacity to surprise and amaze us.
David Deutsch writes with incredible clarity about how he sees the future of human progress and tackles vast and complex subject matter in a way that makes it accessible to people who do not possess his deep knowledge and rare insight.
There are so many things I want to say about this book. About problems and explanations, about pessimism and optimism. But it would take up too much space and could only ever be a shadow on the wall of a cave. So I'll say only one thing: Read it.
ksdambro's review against another edition
Picked it up, looked at it, my head immediately hurt, put it down. Intense.
michaelone's review against another edition
The beginning was extremely thought provoking and fascinating but it's a really dense, tough read. I'll probably return to it to re-read and maybe finish it eventually, but I've heard that the beginning chapters are the most useful.
terrypaulpearce's review against another edition
5.0
This book is astoundingly good. Definitely the best non-fiction I've read since Daniel Kahneman's Thinking Fast and Slow. Maybe better, even. Deutsch starts with explanations being the basis for knowledge, and builds up basic, hard-to-argue-with principles into convincing monoliths that smash some conventional interpretations of knowledge, science and philosophy to tiny pieces. He gives the most understandable insight I've yet had into quantum physics and in particularly the many universes theory, and he has this way of taking on giants (like Dawkins, Jared Diamond, half the current interpreters of quantum theory, and many more besides) with unshakable doggedness and in most cases bringing me round. His breadth is amazing -- he talks about AI, the history of science and philosophy, maths, science fiction, cosmology, the nature of intelligence, prediction, quantum theory, SETI, the nature of truth in 'soft' subjects, policymaking and government... I'm not sure I 100% agree with everything here -- like many with a central idea I wonder if he connects it too far, or ignores other factors sometimes, but he has changed and challenged my thinking on a number of issues, and helped me better understand what good science is all about. The narration is one of the best I've come across as well -- really clear and engaging.
cemyilmaz's review against another edition
5.0
One of the best books I've read so far.
Such clarity of thought, mental flexbility, intellectual humility and endless curiosity. Topics from quantum physics to pre mathematics to history of cultural memes to history of biology - super interesting and relevant.
What a ride this book has been! Underlined/circled/annotated every other paragraph. Crazy.
I wish I had discovered this book earlier in my life, I learned and took away so much.
Worth coming back to often.
Such clarity of thought, mental flexbility, intellectual humility and endless curiosity. Topics from quantum physics to pre mathematics to history of cultural memes to history of biology - super interesting and relevant.
What a ride this book has been! Underlined/circled/annotated every other paragraph. Crazy.
I wish I had discovered this book earlier in my life, I learned and took away so much.
Worth coming back to often.
mattbgold's review against another edition
5.0
Reading this was a great experience. The development of the author's take on fallibilism and the discussion of it's implications and applications was an incredible, deeply thought provoking journey. And there's enough that I found convincing to permanently impact my thinking, if only a little.
Stuff I didn't love:
- An obtuse take on many worlds that I found unhelpful and unnecessary. There are better, more intuitive explanations out there.
- Lots of time spent on the mathematical implications of "infinity" through infinity hotel which I thought was ultimately irrelevant.
- The infinite progress theme was weirdly forced into each chapter. I found the whole idea strange and unconvincing.
- A chapter that awkwardly applied the author's philosophy to beauty and aesthetics.
- The author's choice of words can be a little eccentric... the word "parochial" for example is used so frequently it gets to be pretty hilarious.
Stuff I didn't love:
- An obtuse take on many worlds that I found unhelpful and unnecessary. There are better, more intuitive explanations out there.
- Lots of time spent on the mathematical implications of "infinity" through infinity hotel which I thought was ultimately irrelevant.
- The infinite progress theme was weirdly forced into each chapter. I found the whole idea strange and unconvincing.
- A chapter that awkwardly applied the author's philosophy to beauty and aesthetics.
- The author's choice of words can be a little eccentric... the word "parochial" for example is used so frequently it gets to be pretty hilarious.