Reviews

The Meaning of It All: Thoughts of a Citizen-Scientist by Richard P. Feynman

speljamr's review against another edition

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challenging informative medium-paced

4.0

mahi_tiwari's review against another edition

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informative reflective fast-paced

4.0

seraphinasees's review against another edition

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reflective

3.75

gharness's review against another edition

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challenging informative reflective medium-paced

3.75

A great glimpse into the ideas of the role of science in the 1960s from a guy who was there. He's too pro-military for my taste, and too steeped in cold war ideology. But he talks about the role of science in politics and religion and morality. Good stuff.

sometimes_i_reads's review against another edition

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hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

3.25

rafternorth's review against another edition

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4.0

“I think that there are many mature scientists, or men who consider themselves mature—and if you didn’t know about their religious beliefs ahead of time you would decide that they are mature—who do not believe in God. As a matter of fact, I think that the answer is the exact reverse. It isn’t that he knows it all, but he suddenly realizes that he doesn’t know it all.”

I think Dr. Feynman was a really cool guy. I believe his main point for this lecture is that in science and in life, doubt is a good thing and it is essential. If you think you know all the answers, you wouldn’t want to ask anymore questions. And questions, doubts, uncertainties, however you want to refer to them, are the key to progress.

It’s a nice quick read. Keep in mind that this was a lecture held at a university and is structured for that intended audience. Feynman’s thoughts bounce around and occasionally circle back, but this is not a prepared novel, it’s a lecture. A good one too and I very much enjoyed reading it.

Rating: 4 Stars

nessakate's review against another edition

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informative slow-paced

2.0

This was a 5 paragraph essay of points and topics made into a 100+ page book 🤷

dmorett92's review against another edition

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funny informative reflective fast-paced

4.0

7anooch's review against another edition

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5.0

A really nice and short read on the meaning of doing science and it’s inherent uncertainty. A very useful read for aspiring scientists as well as the average layman.

neil_denham's review against another edition

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3.0

Ramblings of a genius. Although some of the examples in this book are starting to date, and although I don't agree with him on all points (especially with regard to science and morality) this book is very challenging and thought provoking read. It made me think about the roots of our actions, how reasoned we are in certain areas of our lives, and how quickly science is moving, even from when these lectures were given.