The Meaning of it All: Thoughts of a Citizen Scientist (Helix Books) - Hardcover

In April 1963, Richard P. Feynman gave a series of remarkable lectures at the University of Washington in Seattle. These three consecutive talks were classic Feynman - full of wit and wisdom - but their subject matter was wholly unexpected: Feynman spoke not as a physicist but as a concerned fellow citizen, revealing his uncommon insights into the religious, political, and social issues of the day. Now, at last, these lectures have been published under the collective title The Meaning of It All." Here is Feynman on mind reading and the laws of probability and statistics; on Christian Science and the dubious effect of prayer on healing; and on human interpersonal relationships. Here is the citizen-scientist on the dramatic effect simple engineering projects could have on the plague of poverty; the vital role creativity plays in science; the conflict between science and religion; the efficacy of doubt and uncertainty in arriving at scientific truths; and why honest politicians can never be successful.

In these remarkable lectures--never before published--the brilliant scientist reveals his thinking on life religion, politics, science, and everything in between.. Many appreciate Richard P. Feynmans contributions to twentieth-century physics, but few realize how engaged he was with the world around himhow deeply and thoughtfully he considered the religious, political, and social issues of his day. Now, a wonderful bookbased on a previously unpublished, three-part public lecture he gave at the University of Washington in 1963shows us this other side of Feynman, as he expounds on the inherent conflict between science and religion, peoples distrust of politicians, and our universal fascination with flying saucers, faith healing, and mental telepathy. Here we see Feynman in top form: nearly bursting into a Navajo war chant, then pressing for an overhaul of the English language (if you want to know why Johnny cant read, just look at the spelling of friend); and, finally, ruminating on the death of his first wife from tuberculosis. This is quintessential Feynmanreflective, amusing, and ever enlightening.