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First published in 1975, The Tao of Physics rode the wave of fascination in exotic East Asian philosophies. Decades later, it still stands up to scrutiny, explicating not only Eastern philosophies but also how modern physics forces us into conceptions that have remarkable parallels. Covering over 3,000 years of widely divergent traditions across Asia, Capra can't help but blur lines in his generalizations. But the big picture is enough to see the value in them of experiential knowledge, the limits of objectivity, the absence of foundational matter, the interrelation of all things and events, and the fact that process is primary, not things. Capra finds the same notions in modern physics. Those approaching Eastern thought from a background of Western science will find reliable introductions here to Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism and learn how commonalities among these systems of thought can offer a sort of philosophical underpinning for modern science. And those approaching modern physics from a background in Eastern mysticism will find precise yet comprehensible descriptions of a Western science that may reinvigorate a hope in the positive potential of scientific knowledge. Whatever your background, The Tao of Physics is a brilliant essay on the meeting of East and West, and on the invaluable possibilities that such a union promises. --Brian Bruya
Book Description
After a quarter of a century in print, Capra's groundbreaking work still challenges and inspires. This updated edition of The Tao of Physics includes a new preface and afterword in which the author reviews the developments of the twenty-five years since the book's first publication, discusses criticisms the book has received, and examines future possibilities for a new scientific world.
Customer Reviews:
Tao of Physics.......2007-09-16
I have been searching for for an explanation of impact of E=mc on the society for ages. This book has it.
Interesting but problematical.......2007-08-28
Capra's book brings up a lot of issues and ideas that have been coopted by the metaphysical movement to prove that certain forms of magical thinking are true. Please read the assessment of what physics has to do with (and does not have to do with) the law of attraction in The Secret of The Secret: Unlocking the Mysteries of the Runaway Bestseller. It explains how and why most physicists do not believe that their science proves the law of attraction or any other religious belief to be true (this does not mean that these beliefs are not true, just that physics has nothing to do with them). These scientists are not "scared" - just honest.
Very good classic book, extremely thought provoking..........2007-03-30
I have a very good background in science, psychology and Eastern thought. I took Quantum Physics as a course in graduate school and have studied Eastern Religious thought for the last 25 years. I read this book several years after it game out and picked it up again recently.
I think the two spotlight reviews cover a lot of ground and I don't want to repeat the same ideas. However, I feel this book needs to be framed in terms of when it first came out. It is historically significant because it put quantum physics on a lot of people's radar and got them thinking in new ways.
Since this book came out, many other good books have also been written and now maybe this isn't the best book for everyone. However, it is still a solid, thought provoking introduction. While it is repetitive in places, much of this repetition is useful and at the time was probably a contributor to helping bust an old paradigm.
I still like this book very much and think it is a good one for someone who is a layperson with an interest in this topic. The ideas are fascinating and they are presented in an easy to understand manner. I also think they do a good job of providing a short introduction to Eastern thought.
The only review I have written.......2007-03-09
I think this book is one of the best books, if not the best I have ever read. I have been reading about quantum physics and the unified theory for quite some time, and this book lead me in a good direction. I think if you are interested in this kind of stuff this book is a must!
The wave is encountered .......2007-02-04
What Capra points to, is the fundamental basics behind three dimensionality, quantum koans, existence, non-existence, and probability VS reality. He unifies the paradox that links quantum theories to Eastern Buddhist teachings. He promptly pushes non-distinction, where all opposites are polar, this being a valuable concept in Buddhism, is what relegates the importance of its proven existence in quantum physics. By far, the connection between force, matter, particles, waves, motion, are all forces behind many theories of contemplation. The analysis makes a strong attempt at explaining all realms of Eastern thought and Modern physics continuous succession.
Book Description
"Science does not need mysticism and mysticism does not need science, but man needs both." -Fritjof Capra, Ph.D.Their paths to the truth could not be more different-but the amazing thing is that, in their own ways, the mystics and the scientists are discovering the same truths about our world. In non-technical language, with no complex mathematics or formulae, this thought-provoking program explores the main concepts and theories of modern physics, the revelations coming from particle accelerators and laboratories-and compares them with the ancient tenets of Hinduism, Buddhism and Taoism. In the process, we gain a clear and fascinating picture of how such seemingly disparate areas of thought are ultimately quests for the same kind of understanding.
Book Description
Thoroughly updated and revised for its second edition, this advanced textbook provides an introduction to the basic methods of computational physics, and an overview of recent progress in several areas of scientific computing. Tao Pang presents many step-by-step examples, including program listings in JavaTM, of practical numerical methods from modern physics and related areas. Now including many more exercises, the volume can be used as a textbook for either undergraduate or first-year graduate courses on computational physics or scientific computation. It will also be a useful reference for anyone involved in computational research.
Customer Reviews:
Computational Physics...more complex than I thought!.......2007-01-09
I have taken only 3 calculus classes at my local college. Differential calculus (rates of change), integral calculus (areas under curves), and matrix/power series calculus (e.g. the taylor series).
Tao Pang introduces a lot of really complex material that is way over my head. But I love to read it anyways, and I highlight the book anyways, because once I _do_ understand what he is talking about in the future, I can go back and say "ooohh right". I mean, I do understand the computing of the integrals and differentiating equations, but it really opens my eyes to see all of these other uses of using using computers to create scientific solutions! It's so much fun to search these concepts up in Wikipedia and Wolfram Mathworld and have them pop up in class.
My goal in life is to become a really good software engineer, or possibly, a really good computational physics scientist dude. The code Tao Pang gives is very precious, and his web site is loaded not only with Java programs but also C and Fortan. I love how he keeps the code short and makes plenty of room in the margins so that I can scribble my own comments and questions. I love how he goes step-by-step with all of the math so you can follow his thinking for a given problem.
What do I not like about this book? Ehh...maybe more pictures would've been nice. But then again, I've always got Google images.
Thorough intro but..........2005-03-25
Altohough I am not a fan of Fortran by any means the book (now that many of the original errors are corrected) is extremely thorough and readable, but be aware this is not necessarily for the neophyte. One MUST have a good knowledge of numerical anlaysis since derivations of relevant formulas is scant. The book's strength lies in the breadth of topics covered, here you will not find the often included "sport physics" chapter as an introduction, rather you are introduced to the most common numerical methods used by scientists when an analytical soultion is not feasible. The book does deal with many problems found int physics from scattering to quantum mechancis and molecular modelling, Monte Carlo methods and some case studies of applied physics e.g the chapter including ground water dynamics. In the last chapters the author wisely introduces symbolic computing using Mathematica as an example and this is applauded as many of us are not willing to reinvent the wheel since there many excellent programs like Maple, MathCad, FemLab etc and an introduction to the like is good. He also discusses parallel computing and this is also welcome as it has gained more prevalent use in computational sciences.
A complaint, since the book claims by its title no less, that it is an introduction to computational physics, there should have been explict chapters on or at least a chapter on Sports Physics, Astronomy, Cellular Automata. That said the case studies on molecular dynamics, nuclear waste storage and chaos are great.
All in all, a solid text but one should be aware of the fact that the author (and to some extent, rightly so) assumes that the reader has a solid grasp of numerical analsyis, calculus and physics. Having said that if you need a really simple and thorough, ground up introduction and haven't taken the aforementioned courses then try Giordano's Computational Physics, be warned if you are like me and can barely tolerate Fortran (I grew up on C/C++) then the True Basic code snippets (for Mac) in Giordano's book will irritate you to no end!!
Book Description
The universe: an eternal cosmic dance of subatomic particles of relationships at once paradoxical, yet somehow unified. Mystics explore our universe through meditation. Nuclear physicists explore it through experimentation and hypothesis. Their paths to the truth could not be more different-but the amazing thing is that in their own ways, the mystics and the scientists are discovering the same truths about our world.In non-technical language, with no complex mathematics or formulae, this thought-provoking program explores the main concepts and theories of modern physics, the revelations coming from particle accelerators and laboratories-and compares them with the ancient tenets of Hinduism, Buddhism and Taoism. In the process, we gain a clear and fascinating picture of how such seemingly disparate areas of thought are ultimately quests for the same kind of understanding.
Customer Reviews:
Mr. Capra eloquently states his view of the universe........1999-03-27
Fritjof Capra eloquently displays the striking similarities between the ancient arts of enlightenment and the modern discoveries in Physics. If you read this book you're eyes will open wide, whether you're beginning to explore Physics or you're 30 years deep in Physics.
unbelieveible, excellent, marvellous , ..........1999-03-17
This book thought me that there is an another point of view to our life. We should learn it if we are interested in real life. Life is not only the living. My life has changed after this book.
Thank you dear Mr. F.Capra.
Average customer rating:
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Tao of Physics
Fritjof Capra
Manufacturer: Bantam
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
 Capra, Fritjof
| ( C )
| Authors, A-Z
| Religion & Spirituality
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ASIN: B000K3GD3A |
Product Description
Bantam paperback edition Nov 1977
Customer Reviews:
Parallels are not equivalents........2007-07-04
There are many solid books on connections and continuity in history and religion and physics. However Jacob Bronowski, "The Ascent of Man", would turn me over in my grave if he found out that I was reading such books as this. There are too many quasi science quasi religion books that want to take some principle and reinterpret it to be a New age truth or prove the some old blind philosopher beat us too it for example (The Seat of the Soul.) Dr. Capra is drawing parallels in two fields and not trying to say "see I told you so". He takes the time and pages to describe the science and also does a pretty good job of distilling complex religions down to single chapters. I leave it up to Dr. Capra and you to determine if there really is any parallel. A parallel does not mean equivalents. If you are a Gary Zukav sort of person this book will not help you at all.
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Advances in Analysis and Geometry: New Developments Using Clifford Algebras (Trends in Mathematics)
Manufacturer: Birkhäuser Basel
ProductGroup: Book
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ASIN: 3764366613 |
Book Description
The study of systems of special partial differential operators that arise naturally from the use of Clifford algebra as a calculus tool lies in the heart of Clifford analysis. The focus is on the study of Dirac operators and related ones, together with applications in mathematics, physics and engineering. At the present time, the study of Clifford algebra and Clifford analysis has grown into a major research field. There are two sources of papers in this collection. One is from a satellite conference to the ICM 2002 in Beijing, held August 15-18 at the University of Macau; and the other stems from invited contributions by top-notch experts in the field.
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Nonequilibrium Nondissipative Thermodynamics: With Application to Low-Pressure Diamond Synthesis (Springer Series in Chemical Physics)
Ji-Tao Wang
Manufacturer: Springer
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Book Description
This book provides a framework for analysing complex systems for which classical thermodynamics is often not applicable. Since the success of the activated process in 1970, diamond growth with simultaneous graphite etching under low pressure has often been regarded as a violation of the second law of thermodynamics. A series of nonequilibrium phase diagrams, which agree excellently with the activated diamond experiments, have been calculated by the author and his coworkers on the basis of reaction coupling. The book goes on to demonstrate how these lead to a complete new systematization of modern thermodynamics.
Product Description
Bestseller reconciling Eastern philosophy and western science in a humanistic vision of the universe.
Customer Reviews:
Tendentious, but readable and informative.......2004-07-08
Higham's basic story is of the ups and downs of nativism as a whole, and of the various elements comprising it: anti-radicalism, anti-Catholicism, anti-coolieism, and Anglo-Saxonism. Though he does all he can to show nativists in a bad light and foreigners in a good light, the very facts he presents tell a different story. He identifies three main pro-immigrant forces: cosmopolitan ideologues and sentimentalists, business interests greedy for cheap labor, and foreign ethnic lobbies. Most telling is the fact that, by 1925, immigrants themselves were the only remaining opponents of immigration restriction, which only goes to show that they believed their real compatriots to be the ones back in the Old Country, not here in the new.
Classic History.......2000-12-19
Higham's work stands as the seminal work in the history of American nativism. The work is a careful, well-documented study of nationalism and ethnic prejudice, and chronicles the power and violence of these two ideas in American society from 1860 to 1925. He significantly moves beyond previous treatments of nativism, both in chronology and in interpretive sophistication. Higham defines nativism as a defensive type of nationalism or an intense opposition to an internal minority on the grounds of the group's foreign connections. By defining nativism as a set of attitudes or a state of mind, he sets the course for his book as tracing "trace an emotionally charged impulse" rather than "an actual social process or condition." As he argues that the ideological content of nativism remained consistent, he uses emotional intensity as a measure to trace in detail public opinion from the relative calm following the Civil War to the Johnson-Reed act of 1924 that severely limited European immigration.
Strangers in the Land is, then, a history of public opinion, whose purpose is to show how nativism evolved in society and in action. Higham seeks to explain what could inflame xenophobia and who resisted it. He saw his work as part of a renewed interest in the study of nationalism following the national upheavals in the wake of the McCarthy hearings. Surely Higham's mentor at the University of Wisconsin, intellectual historian Merle Curti, influenced Higham's approach in seeking to examine the power of nationalism as an idea. Also influential was the intellectual climate of the 1950s with its of distrust of ideology and distain of prejudice. Higham admits being repelled by the nationalist delusions of the Cold War, again helping to explain why his study concentrates on seeking some explanation for the irrational and violent outbreaks. The book thus focuses on points of conflict, "antagonisms that belong within ideologies of passionate national consciousness." For example, Higham's explains the 100 percent American movement in terms of progressive ideals and the desire of Americans to shape immigrants into a particular ideal of "Americanness" through education and assimilation. This intellectual construct eventually gave way to the racial thinking to which Higham assigns much influence in the efforts to restrict immigration. Ideology is also central to his chapter on the history of the idea of racism in which he argues that Anglo-Saxon nationalism, literary naturalism and a nascent understanding of genetics combined to bring forth arguments for immigration restriction to preserve the racial purity of the American people. Thus, key for Higham's argument is the power of ideas in shaping individual behavior and thereby shaping history.
This text is an absolute must-read for anyone seeking to understand American nativism and the darker side of nationalism
Books:
- The Theory of Polymer Dynamics (International Series of Monographs on Physics)
- Thermodynamics and an Introduction to Thermostatistics, 2nd Edition
- University Physics: Volume 1
- 200 Puzzling Physics Problems
- A Brief History of Time: From the Big Bang to Black Holes
- A Quantum Approach to Condensed Matter Physics
- Approaching Quantum Computing
- Atom: Journey Across the Subatomic Cosmos
- Beginning Physics II: Waves, Electromagnetism, Optics and Modern Physics
- Bright Earth: Art and the Invention of Color
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