Uncertainty : Einstein, Heisenberg, Bohr, and the struggle for the soul of science

The more precisely the position is determined, the less precisely the momentum is known in this instant, and vice versa. —Werner Heisenberg That God would choose to play dice with the world is something I cannot believe. —Albert Einstein Nothing exists until it is measured. —Neils Bohr The remarkable story of a startling scientific idea that ignited a battle among the greatest minds of the twentieth century and profoundly influenced intellectual inquiry in fields ranging from physics to literary criticism, anthropology and journalism In 1927, the young German physicist Werner Heisenberg challenged centuries of scientific understanding when he introduced what came to be known as “the uncertainty principle.” Building on his own radical innovations in quantum theory, Heisenberg proved that in many physical measurements, you can obtain one bit of information only at the price of losing another. HeisenbergвЂTMs principle implied that scientific quantities/concepts do not have absolute, independent meaning, but acquire meaning only in terms of the experiments used to measure them. This proposition, undermining the cherished belief that science could reveal the physical world with limitless detail and precision, placed Heisenberg in direct opposition to the revered Albert Einstein. The eminent scientist Niels Bohr, HeisenbergвЂTMs mentor and EinsteinвЂTMs long-time friend, found himself caught between the two. Uncertainty chronicles the birth and evolution of one of the most significant findings in the history of science, and portrays the clash of ideas and personalities it provoked. EinsteinВ was emotionally as well as intellectually determined to prove the uncertainty principle false. Heisenberg represented a new generation of physicists who believed that quantum theory overthrew the old certainties; confident of his reasoning, Heisenberg dismissed EinsteinвЂTMs objections. Bohr understood that Heisenberg was correct, but he also recognized the vital necessity of gaining EinsteinвЂTMs support as the world faced the shocking implications of HeisenbergвЂTMs principle. The Remarkable Story Of A Startling Scientific Idea That Ignited A Battle Among The Greatest Minds Of The Twentieth Century And Profoundly Influenced Intellectual Inquiry In Fields Ranging From Physics To Literary Criticism, Anthropology And Journalism. In 1927, Young German Physicist Werner Heisenberg Challenged Centuries Of Scientific Understanding When He Introduced What Came To Be Known As The Uncertainty Principle. Heisenberg Proved That In Many Physical Measurements, You Can Obtain One Bit Of Information Only At The Price Of Losing Another. This Proposition, Undermining The Cherished Belief That Science Could Reveal The Physical World With Limitless Detail And Precision, Placed Heisenberg In Direct Opposition To The Revered Albert Einstein. Niels Bohr, Heisenberg's Mentor And Einstein's Long-time Friend, Found Himself Caught Between The Two. Bohr Understood That Heisenberg Was Correct, But He Also Recognized The Vital Necessity Of Gaining Einstein's Support As The World Faced The Shocking Implications Of Heisenberg's Principle.--from Publisher Description. Irritable Particles -- Entropy Strives Toward A Maximum -- An Enigma, A Subject Of Profound Astonishment -- How Does An Electron Decide? -- An Audacity Unheard Of In Earlier Times -- Lack Of Knowledge Is No Guarantee Of Success -- How Can One Be Happy? -- I Would Rather Be A Cobbler -- Something Has Happened -- The Soul Of The Old System -- I Am Inclined To Give Up Determinism -- Our Words Don't Fit -- Awful Bohr Incantation Terminology -- Now The Game Has Won -- Life-experience And Not Scientific Experience -- Possibilities Of Unambiguous Interpretation -- The No-man's Land Between Logic And Physics -- Anarchy At Last. David Lindley. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [243]-247) And Index. The gripping, entertaining, and vividly-told narrative of a radical discovery that sent shockwaves through the scientific community and forever changed the way we understand the world.Werner Heisenberg's “uncertainty principle” challenged centuries of scientific understanding, placed him in direct opposition to Albert Einstein, and put Niels Bohr in the middle of one of the most heated debates in scientific history. Heisenberg's theorem stated that there were physical limits to what we could know about sub-atomic particles; this “uncertainty” would have shocking implications. In a riveting and lively account, David Lindley captures this critical episode and explains one of the most important scientific discoveries in history, which has since transcended the boundaries of science and influenced everything from literary theory to television.