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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
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The Beginning of Infinity summary
Explanations That Transform the World
20 mins
Brief summary
'The Beginning of Infinity' by David Deutsch explores the concept of infinite knowledge and its impact on science and human progress. It views science as a method of explaining and shaping the world, and argues that knowledge is what distinguishes us as a species.
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The Beginning of Infinity
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Knowledge is not only derived from experience, but also from theories.
No human has ever stepped on the surface of a star, let alone visited its core. And yet scientists know a lot about what’s happening deep inside stars, light years away.
How come?
Because experiencing is not the only way of knowing.
Empiricism is a theory that claims we derive all our knowledge from sensory experience – but as you’ll see, this is wrong.
Empiricists imagine that our mind is like a blank piece of paper on which sensory experiences are written. This would mean that we are the passive recipients of knowledge, not its creators.
But contrary to the empiricist view, our knowledge can’t be based on individual observations alone.
For instance, even though you’ve seen the sun rise repeatedly, you don’t base your knowledge that it will rise tomorrow solely on these observations. If you did, on a cloudy day you’d assume the sun was not rising because you couldn’t see it!
Moreover, appearances can be deceptive. For example, the Earth looks and feels as if it is immobile, even though it is really rotating.
So although experience is essential to science, it is not the source from which knowledge is derived. If it was, our knowledge of the stars, for example, would be limited to what we learn from gazing at the night skies.
Instead, the real source of our knowledge is theory and conjecture.
Consider the stars again: the fact that at their core is an energy source equivalent to billions of power plants is something we can’t see. We know it only from theory.
Such scientific theories are derived from conjectures – guesswork and speculation – which can be tested by experience in the form of observations and experiments.
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What is The Beginning of Infinity about?
Everyday, we benefit from huge advances in both scientific theory and practice. What triggered this progress? In The Beginning of Infinity (2011) – a journey through the fundamental fields of science and philosophy – physicist David Deutsch argues that all progress results from one single human activity: the quest for explanations. Human creativity opens up limitless opportunities for progress, making knowledge the “beginning of infinity.”
The Beginning of Infinity Review
The Beginning of Infinity (2011) is an enlightening exploration of humanity's progress and potential for infinite improvement. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- It presents mind-bending concepts and thought experiments that challenge our understanding of the world and encourage us to question our assumptions.
- With its interdisciplinary approach and wide range of topics, from philosophy to science to politics, it offers a comprehensive view of the potential of human knowledge.
- By emphasizing the power of explanations and theories to drive progress, it provides a compelling argument for the importance of rational thinking in solving complex problems.
Best quote from The Beginning of Infinity
The harm that can flow from any innovation that does not destroy the growth of knowledge is always finite; the good can be unlimited.
—David Deutsch
Who should read The Beginning of Infinity?
- Fans of science and philosophy
- Anyone fascinated by the power of knowledge and creativity
- Readers interested in the future of our species
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The Beginning of Infinity FAQs
What is the main message of The Beginning of Infinity?
The main message of The Beginning of Infinity is how the reach of human knowledge is boundless and can drive progress indefinitely.
How long does it take to read The Beginning of Infinity?
The reading time for The Beginning of Infinity varies, but the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is The Beginning of Infinity a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Beginning of Infinity is a thought-provoking read. It challenges conventional thinking and provides fresh insights into the nature of knowledge and progress.
Who is the author of The Beginning of Infinity?
David Deutsch is the author of The Beginning of Infinity.
What to read after The Beginning of Infinity?
If you're wondering what to read next after The Beginning of Infinity, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- As A Man Thinketh by James Allen
- Superintelligence by Nick Bostrom
- Zero to One by Peter Thiel with Blake Masters
- Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig
- Blitzscaling by Reid Hoffman and Chris Yeh
- Secrets of Sand Hill Road by Scott Kupor
- Winning by Jack Welch with Suzy Welch
- The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith
- The Lean Startup by Eric Ries
- Super Human by Dave Asprey