Not Even Wrong

The Failure of String Theory and the Search for Unity in Physical Law for Unity in Physical Law

By: Peter Woit

Write A Review

Paperback | 4 September 2007 | Edition Number 1

At a Glance

Paperback
320 Pages

Dimensions(cm)
20.2 x 13.3 x 1.8

Paperback

$72.99

or 4 interest-free payments of $18.25 with

Ships in 10 to 15 business days

At what point does theory depart the realm of testable hypothesis and come to resemble something like aesthetic speculation, or even theology? The legendary physicist Wolfgang Pauli had a phrase for such ideas: He would describe them as "not even wrong," meaning that they were so incomplete that they could not even be used to make predictions to compare with observations to see whether they were wrong or not. In Peter Woit's view, superstring theory is just such an idea. In Not Even Wrong , he shows that what many physicists call superstring "theory" is not a theory at all. It makes no predictions, even wrong ones, and this very lack of falsifiability is what has allowed the subject to survive and flourish. Not Even Wrong explains why the mathematical conditions for progress in physics are entirely absent from superstring theory today and shows that judgments about scientific statements, which should be based on the logical consistency of argument and experimental evidence, are instead based on the eminence of those claiming to know the truth. In the face of many books from enthusiasts for string theory, this book presents the other side of the story.

Shipping

	Standard Shipping	Express Shipping
Metro postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95
Regional postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95
Rural postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95

Orders over $79.00 qualify for free shipping.

How to return your order

At Booktopia, we offer hassle-free returns in accordance with our returns policy. If you wish to return an item, please get in touch with Booktopia Customer Care.

Additional postage charges may be applicable.

Defective items

If there is a problem with any of the items received for your order then the Booktopia Customer Care team is ready to assist you.

For more info please visit our Help Centre.

You Can Find This Book In

Non-Fiction Science Physics Particle & High-Energy Physics Science in General Popular Science Mathematics Number Theory

Preface	p. ix
Particle Physics at the Turn of the Millennium	p. 1
The Instruments of Production	p. 5
Quantum Theory	p. 29
Quantum Field Theory	p. 49
Gauge Symmetry and Gauge Theories	p. 59
The Standard Model	p. 67
Triumph of the Standard Model	p. 85
Problems of the Standard Model	p. 91
Beyond the Standard Model	p. 95
New Insights in Quantum Field Theory and Mathematics	p. 105
String Theory: History	p. 139
String Theory and Supersymmetry: An Evaluation	p. 161
On Beauty and Difficulty	p. 193
Is Superstring Theory Science?	p. 203
The Bogdanov Affair	p. 213
The Only Game in Town: The Power and the Glory of String Theory	p. 221
The Landscape of String Theory	p. 237
Other Points of View	p. 247
Conclusion	p. 255
Acknowledgments	p. 265
Notes	p. 269
Index	p. 279
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.

Not Even Wrong

The Failure of String Theory and the Search for Unity in Physical Law for Unity in Physical Law

At a Glance

Paperback

Shipping

How to return your order

Defective items

You Can Find This Book In

More in Physics

A Periodic Tale: the bestselling life-long story of Australia's favourite science champion Dr Karl Kruszelnicki, shortlisted for the ABIA Biography of the Year 2025

My Sciencey Memoir

A Short History of Nearly Everything 2.0

The Return of the God Hypothesis

Three Scientific Discoveries Revealing the Mind Behind the Universe

Quantum 2.0

The Past, Present, and Future of Quantum Physics

The Breath of the Gods

The History and Future of the Wind

The Universe

The Book Of The BBC TV Series Presented By Professor Brian Cox

The Art of Electronics

3rd edition improved

The Holographic Universe

Introduction to Quantum Mechanics

3rd edition

Astrophysics for People in a Hurry

The Order of Time

Conceptual Physics, Global Edition

13th Edition

Evolution of Low-Dimensional Biosensors in Food Safety, Agriculture, and Healthcare

Introduction to Renewable Energy Conversions

Gravitational-Wave Astronomy Ogt Paperback

Exploring the Dark Side of the Universe

Halliday's Fundamentals of Physics, 1st Australian & New Zealand Edition

A Brief History Of Time

From Big Bang to Black Holes

Seven Brief Lessons on Physics

Green and Sustainable Synthesis of Iron Oxide-Based Nanomaterials for Energy and Environmental Applications

Metal Oxides

Metamaterials and Metasurfaces, Second Edition

Foundations, Trends and Applications

Gravitation for Theorists

Pull

how gravity shapes your body, steadies the mind, and guides our health

Aristotelian Ontological Priority and Metaphysical Grounding

Elements in Ancient Philosophy

Aristotelian Ontological Priority and Metaphysical Grounding

Elements in Ancient Philosophy

This product is categorised by