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What We Cannot Know
- Narrated by: Marcus du Sautoy
- Length: 15 hrs and 8 mins
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What We Cannot Know
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Summary
Britain's most famous mathematician takes us to the edge of knowledge to show us what we cannot know.
Science is king. Every week headlines announce new breakthroughs in our understanding of the universe, new technologies that will transform our environment, new medical advances that will extend our lives. Science is giving us unprecedented insight into some of the big questions that have challenged humanity ever since we've been able to formulate those questions. Where did we come from? What is the ultimate destiny of the universe? What are the building blocks of the physical world? What is consciousness?
What We Cannot Know asks us to rein in this unbridled enthusiasm for the power of science. Marcus Du Sautoy explores the limits of human knowledge, to probe whether there is anything we truly cannot know. Are there limits to what we can discover about our physical universe? Are some regions of the future beyond the predictive powers of science and mathematics? Is time before the big bang a no-go arena? Are there ideas so complex that they are beyond the conception of our finite human brains? Can brains even investigate themselves, or does the analysis enter an infinite loop from which it is impossible to rescue itself? Are there true statements that can never be proved true?
Prepare to be taken to the edge of knowledge to find out what we cannot know.
Critic reviews
"Marcus Du Sautoy knows how to tell a story, and, even more important, how to make difficult ideas palatable and entertaining. He is never condescending and is always true to the spirit of his subject. He is a living refutation of Hardy's snobbish view that popularisation is 'work for second rate minds'." ( Sunday Telegraph)
What listeners say about What We Cannot Know
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Pete
- 01-02-23
Great angle on the history of science
I’ve often struggled with popular science books, but Marcus du Sautoy knows how to write a page turner!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Erik
- 26-08-18
Great book. Wonderfully told.
Worth much more than the 7 pounds payed at Amazon. Very enjoyable book about physics, mathematics and cognitive science/brain science. I know quite a bit about the current state of affairs in physics, but i always enjoy a good book about this subject even if it overlaps what i know. Greatly narrated by the author and after listening to this book, you have shot up in my all time favorites, really one of the best. (for sake of clarity, no insult meant, my all time favorite physics book is "fearfull symmetry"). But Marcus du Sautoy, i didn't know you before, but i will read everything there is to read about you now. Thanks for this great book.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- John Lamerton
- 10-05-19
Interesting
Interesting summary of a wide range of topics but got a bit repetitive in places
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Jerry Cornelius
- 30-06-16
Well I don't know!
Any additional comments?
Marcus du Sautoy is an enthusiastic and engaging reader. As its his book he should be. The subjects are interesting and varied and all in all it is a book that makes you think. I'd like to sit in a pub and talk over this book with Mr du Sautoy. I reckon that would make a great evening.
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5 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- BEHNAZ
- 17-03-18
such an interesting storytelling of science
it's an amazing book highly recommend it. it's smoothly with amazing storytelling way goes through all the scientific challenges, in way that u think u know
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Matthew Wood
- 07-06-20
Fascinating is an understatement
Undoubtedly worth a purchase. Using maths as a framework this books probes in to most of the recurrent 'big' questions humanity has. Very interesting. Very accessible. Very well narrated.
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- Roberto
- 13-07-16
Maths student here
Loved it, I would recommend this to all science lovers and thinkers :)
Definitely tickled my brain.
Wonderfully written and read!
Well done and keep doing more!!
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6 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Neil Taylor
- 15-01-20
Great for science fans
Fantastic overview of the history of physics from ancient greeks to renaissance and newton in particular and then focusing on the less clearly understood worlds of relativity and quantum mechanics
Then covers consciousness and a tiny bit of maths
Really enjoyed listening to the audiobook while pushing for the burn in the gym
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- Kindle Customer
- 08-08-18
Intriguing mix of maths, philosophy and science.
Marcus has an engaging style with plenty of humour as he tackles the great mysteries with rational analysis.
Every chapter left me pondering for a good while afterwards.
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- Ipswich England
- 18-05-16
Fantastic !
Sheer enjoyment listening to Prof du Sautoy's audiobook. I have read every mainstream book he has written but being able to listen to his wonderful and expressive voice takes it to another level. This is a masterpiece which will have many many relistens .
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9 people found this helpful