
The Great Questions of Philosophy and Physics
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Narrated by:
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Steven Gimbel
About this listen
Philosophers have long puzzled over the nature of space, time, and matter. These inquiries led to the flowering of physics with the Scientific Revolution in the 17th century. Since then, the spectacular success of modern physics might appear to have made philosophy irrelevant. But new theories have created a new range of philosophical concerns: What is the shape of space? Is time travel possible? Is there a grand unified theory that unites all of physics?
Treating these and other puzzles with an entertaining and accessible approach, The Great Questions of Philosophy and Physics guides you through the concepts, theories, and speculations that underlie our understanding of reality. In 12 stimulating, half-hour lectures, award-winning teacher and philosopher Steven Gimbel of Gettysburg College covers the fundamental ideas of modern physics, highlighting the role of philosophy in setting ground rules, interpreting the results, and posing new questions.
Professor Gimbel describes the grand synthesis that Isaac Newton achieved with his universal theory of gravitation and its picture of absolute space and time. Then, you see how Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity, combined with quantum theory, overthrew the Newtonian paradigm, posing a host of philosophical puzzles. Among them is Erwin Schrödinger’s famous thought experiment about a cat that is simultaneously dead and alive according to the standard interpretation of quantum mechanics. You survey philosophical attempts to escape from this and other paradoxes, and you also investigate the role of mathematics in physical theories. Does its extraordinary success imply that the world is a mathematical system?
You close by exploring theological arguments that invoke the discoveries of physics to posit a creator God. As with other theories covered in the course, you carefully weigh both sides using scientific evidence and the tools of philosophy.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
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funny,
- By LaPortaMA on 02-21-19
By: Steven Gimbel, and others
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The Many Hidden Worlds of Quantum Mechanics
- By: Sean Carroll, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Sean Carroll
- Length: 11 hrs and 51 mins
- Original Recording
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In a field known for startling ideas, the Many-Worlds Interpretation (MWI) of quantum mechanics may take the prize. It holds that parallel to our own world are a large number of other universes, almost identical to ours but with small variations. Copies of each of us inhabit a myriad of these worlds. But they are not us exactly; they share our past history, but they are different people who have unique futures. Although these realms are invisible and can’t communicate with each other, prominent physicists are convinced they must exist.
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Sean Carroll always has such amazing content
- By Amazon Customer on 12-26-23
By: Sean Carroll, and others
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Einstein's Relativity and the Quantum Revolution: Modern Physics for Non-Scientists, 2nd Edition
- By: Richard Wolfson, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Richard Wolfson
- Length: 12 hrs and 17 mins
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"It doesn't take an Einstein to understand modern physics," says Professor Wolfson at the outset of these 24 lectures on what may be the most important subjects in the universe: relativity and quantum physics. Both have reputations for complexity. But the basic ideas behind them are, in fact, simple and comprehensible by anyone. These dynamic and illuminating lectures begin with a brief overview of theories of physical reality starting with Aristotle and culminating in Newtonian or "classical" physics.
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Great primer for hard SF fans and physics laymen
- By David on 01-05-15
By: Richard Wolfson, and others
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Early Modern Philosophy: Descartes and the Rationalists
- By: James D. Reid, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: James D. Reid
- Length: 6 hrs and 13 mins
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From the 17th to 18th centuries, bold thinkers cast off the authority of ancient traditions and embraced reason as the primary tool for understanding the world. These rationalists, or early modern philosophers, included René Descartes, Baruch Spinoza, and Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz—visionaries whose answers to profound questions remain relevant today. Early Modern Philosophy: Descartes and the Rationalists covers the key philosophers of this period in 12 fascinating half-hour lectures, presented by award-winning teacher James D. Reid, Professor of Philosophy at Metropolitan State University.
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Great Introduction and overview
- By Shawn Klein on 01-16-25
By: James D. Reid, and others
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The Evidence for Modern Physics
- How We Know What We Know
- By: Professor Don Lincoln, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Professor Don Lincoln
- Length: 11 hrs and 54 mins
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In this 24-lesson course aimed at non-scientists, noted particle physicist Dr. Don Lincoln of Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory covers more than a century of progress in physics, describing exactly how scientists reach the conclusions they do. He starts with the atom, which was long hypothesized but wasn’t definitively proven until a paper by Albert Einstein in 1905. That was just the beginning, as researchers probed ever deeper into the atom’s complex structure, leading to the weird findings of quantum mechanics.
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Strongly Recommend for Everyone
- By Liam A on 05-23-21
By: Professor Don Lincoln, and others
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The Life and Death of Stars
- By: Keivan G. Stassun, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Keivan G. Stassun
- Length: 11 hrs and 51 mins
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We understand the stars at a much deeper level, not as legendary figures connected with constellations, but as engines of matter, energy, and the raw material of life itself. The Life and Death of Stars introduces you to this story in 24 half-hour lectures that lead you through the essential ideas of astrophysics - the science of stars. Your guide is Professor Stassun, an award-winning teacher and noted astrophysicist. He provides lively, eloquent, and authoritative explanations at a level suitable for science novices as well as for those who already know their way around the starry sky.
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Stassun keeps referring to visual material
- By pondo on 12-27-18
By: Keivan G. Stassun, and others
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Quantum Physics for Beginners 101
- An Easy Guide to Understanding Quantum Physics, the Theories and Applications in Daily Life Without the Math
- By: M. M. Gavillet
- Narrated by: Matthew McNeil
- Length: 4 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
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Have you always been fascinated by quantum physics' spellbinding twirls but been held back by its daunting equations? Are you eager to explore the Quantum universe and unravel its mysteries but dread diving into a sea of complex numbers? Master the mystical world of Quantum Physics in just a few hours. Empower yourself with the knowledge of the microscopic universe, minus the mind-boggling math!
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Our future is in Quantum Physics ,
- By Betty Bassett on 04-06-25
By: M. M. Gavillet
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The Foundations of Western Civilization
- By: Thomas F. X. Noble, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Thomas F. X. Noble
- Length: 24 hrs and 51 mins
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What is Western Civilization? According to Professor Noble, it is "much more than human and political geography," encompassing myriad forms of political and institutional structures - from monarchies to participatory republics - and its own traditions of political discourse. It involves choices about who gets to participate in any given society and the ways in which societies have resolved the tension between individual self-interest and the common good.
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Not Engaging or Very Interesting
- By Tommy D'Angelo on 03-05-17
By: Thomas F. X. Noble, and others
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Great Piano Works Explained
- By: Catherine Kautsky, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Catherine Kautsky
- Length: 13 hrs and 14 mins
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The glorious repertoire for solo piano includes many of classical music’s most beloved masterpieces. In these 24 musically rich lectures, you’ll dig deeply into this magnificent tradition, in an in-depth exploration of the art of listening. With Professor Kautsky’s inspired guidance and expert playing, you’ll highlight key works of each composer, and unpack their structure, the musical materials that drive them, and the specific features that affect listeners so strongly, giving you a clear grounding in how to approach and hear this great music.
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Highly recommended!!
- By Meichiko on 10-27-22
By: Catherine Kautsky, and others
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Theories of Knowledge: How to Think About What You Know
- By: Joseph H. Shieber, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Joseph H. Shieber
- Length: 11 hrs and 28 mins
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Delve into the exciting field of “epistemology”, the philosophical term for our inquiry into knowledge: what it is, the ways we acquire it, and how we justify our beliefs as knowledge. Taught by acclaimed Professor Joseph H. Shieber of Lafayette College, these 24 mind-bending lectures take you from ancient philosophers to contemporary neurobiologists, and from wide-ranging social networks to the deepest recesses of your own brain.
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Should be named "Naval Gazing"
- By Frank on 03-18-19
By: Joseph H. Shieber, and others
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Thinking Like an Economist: A Guide to Rational Decision Making
- By: Randall Bartlett, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Randall Bartlett
- Length: 6 hrs and 11 mins
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Economic forces are everywhere around you. But that doesn't mean you need to passively accept whatever outcome those forces might press upon you. Instead, with these 12 fast-moving and crystal clear lectures, you can learn how to use a small handful of basic nuts-and-bolts principles to turn those same forces to your own advantage.
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Great for beginners, nothing you for an economist
- By V. Taras on 07-08-15
By: Randall Bartlett, and others
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The Power of Thought Experiments
- By: Daniel Breyer, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Daniel Breyer
- Length: 11 hrs and 54 mins
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Thought experiments are “what if” scenarios that invite us to look carefully at how we think and view the world. They’ve been used throughout history by philosophers and other thinkers to explore our intuitions and ways of reasoning, to find solutions to problems, and to expand our knowledge of ourselves and the world. In these 24 eye-opening lectures, Professor Breyer takes you deeply into the historical tradition of thought experiments, shining a light on both the purpose and the outcomes of these compelling mental voyages.
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Real Life Pholosophy
- By Dennis on 07-19-23
By: Daniel Breyer, and others
What listeners say about The Great Questions of Philosophy and Physics
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- JCW
- 04-24-22
Great Information and entertainment
I was greatly surprised how informative and entertaining these lectures were presented as a free bonus with the Audible subscription! The Professor was clear and concise while explaining these difficult topics in simple,easy terms. I recommend this audible for anyone interested in science and it’s philosophical background. Enjoy.
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- Liam A
- 07-30-21
Great Overview
Enjoyed this presentation, and the presenters humor! The only problem I had was with the way Dr. Gimbel pronounced the names of other philosophers (many times I had difficulty hearing to whom he referred).
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1 person found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 03-29-22
Awesome
Awesome lectures. Awesome lecturer. I would love to hear more from this guy. Lots of energy and info. Good for meta’s and new learners of physics alike.
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- Jedediah W. Holmes
- 05-28-23
Informative and thought-provoking
All-around great presentation! I would recommend this to anybody. I think it’s also very important to anybody in STEM to be familiar with these subjects and content.
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- Anonymous User
- 01-01-21
superb!
one of the best great courses and review of modern physics for a non physicist
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3 people found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 06-29-22
well done
explains the difficult concepts in simpler terms. however, it's a bit harder to listen to the narrator. he starts a statement in normal volume but trails off to low volume making me miss the final gist.
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- Robert Karch
- 02-20-23
Interesting topics fun presentation
The course provides Thought providing ideas and explanations without forcing one approach down your throat.
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- Joseph
- 03-10-22
Fantastic!
Fantastic. The book approaches physics and philosophy and it’s history in chronological order. It does go into depth with both and is current. The author injects humor as well as examples to clarify his points. It is both informative and entertaining - read with expressive enthusiasm.
One minor distraction: in the beginning, the variation in volume of his voice forced me to replay some portions that I could not hear well. If I turned the volume up then portions were far too loud. This was only in the beginning parts. After that it was fine. It’s a minor criticism of a fantastic work.
Years ago I bought a series of these “Great Courses” - without exception, they were all professionally done with solid facts orated by knowledgeable instructors or professors. I will look for more of these in Audible.
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- KandyTrip
- 09-18-23
Very informative
I enjoyed this look into philosophy of physics. I was unaware they were so tied together. He has a great voice and meter.
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- ER
- 12-17-20
OUTSTANDING
Professor Gimbel can explain and turn any seemingly complicated concept into a simple, easy-to-grasp understanding. His plethora of analogies and puns and comparisons were so funny that I laughed out loud through much of the book. I will listen to this one again and again. Thank you!!
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4 people found this helpful