What We Believe but Cannot Prove: Today's Leading Thinkers on Science in the Age of Certainty

John Brockman

Harper Collins, Oct 13, 2009 - Psychology - 272 pages

More than one hundred of the world's leading thinkers write about things they believe in, despite the absence of concrete proof

Scientific theory, more often than not, is born of bold assumption, disparate bits of unconnected evidence, and educated leaps of faith. Some of the most potent beliefs among brilliant minds are based on supposition alone -- yet that is enough to push those minds toward making the theory viable.

Eminent cultural impresario, editor, and publisher of Edge (www.edge.org), John Brockman asked a group of leading scientists and thinkers to answer the question: What do you believe to be true even though you cannot prove it? This book brings together the very best answers from the most distinguished contributors.

Thought-provoking and hugely compelling, this collection of bite-size thought-experiments is a fascinating insight into the instinctive beliefs of some of the most brilliant minds today.

About the author

The publisher of the online science salon Edge.org, John Brockman is the editor of Know This, This Idea Must Die, This Explains Everything, This Will Make You Smarter, and other volumes.

Bibliographic information

• Title: What We Believe but Cannot Prove: Today's Leading Thinkers on Science in the Age of Certainty; Edge Question Series
• Author: John Brockman
• Publisher: Harper Collins, 2009
• ISBN: 0061828106, 9780061828102
• Length: 272 pages
• Subjects: Psychology / Social Psychology; Science / General; Science / Philosophy & Social Aspects; Social Science / Sociology / General