Running head: THE NATURE OF SPACE AND TIME
Analysis: The Nature of Space and Time
Aya Kareem
1
THE NATURE OF SPACE AND TIME
2
Analysis: The Nature of Space and Time
Physics as a subject and science has evolved greatly over the years, from the era of
Newton to Einstein, with various theories put forth to explain and theorize various
phenomena. The continuous evolution of science has led to different theories some
considered classical and others seen as radical and divergent from the norm. Furthermore,
there is the rise in some of the most famous, used and argued about theories, General
Relativity, Special Relativity, Quantum Field Theory and Quantum Theory, which have
emerged at the forefront of debates regarding the nature of space and time, black holes, light
and the impact of gravity and reality itself. The debates surrounding the application of
theories and the interpretations drawn from them has attracted arguably the greatest minds in
modern physics, Stephen Hawking and Roger Penrose, both ardent mathematicians and
theoretical physicist, to put forth a publication highlighting their lectures on the subject of
space and time and the use and interpretation of physics theories relating to them. This paper
looks to give an analysis of this book, The Nature of Space and Time.
The book has, as one would expect for a book centered on debating theoretical
physics, two authors, Stephen Hawking and Roger Penrose. Professor Stephen William
Hawking was a renowned English mathematician, theoretical physicist, and cosmologist. He
undertook to study and explain the theories surrounding cosmology, quantum mechanics, and
general relativity and, more importantly, put forth his theories on the subjects. He was for
most of his career a Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at the University of Cambridge from
1979 and 2009 and earlier studied physics at the University College, Oxford. He would later
hold various notable positions and memberships in physics research bodies and institutes in
THE NATURE OF SPACE AND TIME
3
the country (University of Cambridge, 2019). Positions that would exemplify his genius and
drive his research and lectures on the subject.
Sir Roger Penrose is also an English mathematician, theoretical physicist, and
philosopher of science, renowned for his endeavors in theoretical physics. His background in
physics was centered on mathematical physics and the research on cosmology and general
relativity. He also developed his mathematical theories, one of which explained the workings
of black holes and how stars collapse into them. His work on general relativity in partnership
with Stephen Hawking would lead to the Hawking-Penrose Singularity Theorem and win
both of them the Wolf Prize in 1988, which they would share (The Royal Society, 2019).
Both authors are considered some of the most brilliant theoretical physicists and
mathematicians of modern times. However, though they worked together on various aspects
and even developed a theory that would win them the Wolf Prize, they do hold slightly
differing views regarding theoretical physics, particularly General Relativity. It is because of
the difference in views that they sought to document their lectures on the subject and
highlight their differences and the debate that still raged on, not just between them but the
physics would as well regarding theoretical physics’ most held theories.
The book is set as a debate between Stephen Hawking and Roger Penrose. It
documents the series of lectures they gave at a six-month program at the Isaac Newton
Institute of Mathematical Science at the University of Cambridge. The book is essentially a
sort of minute to the lectures given over the six months by both physicists. The authors seek
to provide the reader with a word for word account of the lectures given by each of them,
including the diagrams used, the questions and responses, the points of contrast as well as the
THE NATURE OF SPACE AND TIME
4
analysis of the debate. In the book, both authors aim to explain their stance on various
subjects and aspects of mathematical and theoretical physics relating ranging from
cosmology, general relativity, quantum theory and space, and time, all of which seek to
explain the fundamental ideas concerning the nature of the universe. They argue that Einstein
said that the most incomprehensible thing about the universe is that it is comprehensible. But
was he right? Can the quantum theory of fields and Einstein’s general theory of relativity, the
two most accurate and successful theories in all of physics, be united into a single quantum
theory of gravity? Can quantum and cosmos ever be combined? Each author over a series of
chapters looks to give their interpretation of a given area while pointing out the pints of
conflict and agreement they have with the other. Stephen Hawking points out that while he
and Roger Penrose agree on the classical work of theoretical physics, they disagree in terms
of their approaches to quantum gravity and quantum theory as a whole (Penrose, 1996, p. 3).
Hawking terms himself as a more of a conservative than many believe him to be while
viewing Penrose as being a Platonist when it comes to quantum theory. Furthermore, the
author’s through a debate section (Penrose, 1996, p. 121-137) summarize the finer points of
their agreements and disagreements and outline their views regarding a number of key issues,
including the spatial geometry of the universe, inflationary versus cyclic theories of the
cosmos, and the black-hole information-loss paradox. Though much progress has been made,
Hawking and Penrose stress that physicists still have further to go in their quest for a
quantum theory of gravity. The book consolidates both their views and aims not to achieve
harmony, but rather to drive the discussion on the subject further and allow for not only a
clearer understanding of the complexities of physics, but also motivate further research on the
subject. The book does not hold to a sole thesis, but instead revolves around a myriad of
THE NATURE OF SPACE AND TIME
5
views and takes on theoretical and mathematical physics by both authors, giving a highly
technical and complex series of explanations on various topics.
The aspect that stood out most in the book was the differing views that both authors
held on specific aspects of theoretical physics and the application of General Relativity and
Quantum Theories. While Stephen Hawking held that such theories as Schrödinger’s cat
thought experiment was inconsequential and not entirely accurate in Quantum mechanics,
Penrose argues that it is from a philosophical standpoint an important part of explaining the
nature and workings of Quantum mechanics (Penrose, 1996, p. 127-129). The differing
approaches, not only in interpreting the theories but also in applying and using the equations
makes for an interesting read and display the malleable nature of theoretical physics. Though
both authors aim to achieve the same results in the way of explaining the nature of time and
space, and they hold very different views. Chapter seven, titled, The Debate, in particular
makes for an interesting assessment of the difference in views of each of them regarding their
methodologies, interpretations, and application of formulas and thought experiments in
explaining various theoretical phenomena. An example of this is pointed out by Penrose in
the different manner in which he and Hawking make use of the Wick Rotation in Quantum
Field Theory; He argues that Hawking’s use of the Wick Notation in applying it to the space
of Lorentzian metrics though clever is not the usual application of the Rotation in Quantum
Field Theory and is therefore not truly a Wick Notation in that respect. The debate proves just
how complex and diverse theoretical physics is as a discipline and how much more is yet to
be ascertained and even discovered.
The book changed the previously held notion that theories were fixed as was their
application. How both Stephen Hawking and Roger Penrose debated their differing views of
THE NATURE OF SPACE AND TIME
6
how theories on General Relativity, Quantum Theory, and Quantum Mechanics could and
should be applied proved that each of these complex theories could be employed differently
depending on the thoughts and underlying approach one took. There differing interpretations
regarding the information loss due to black holes, the application of Wick Rotation in
Quantum Theory, and their view of the importance and application of Schrödinger’s cat
thought experiment. Furthermore, the book which bases much of the arguments on thought
experiments and theoretical designs proves that theoretical physics is not necessarily based on
solid pre established truths as previously viewed, but rather, is reliant on mathematical
formula to verify the validity of a given theory. Mathematics is, therefore, the determinant
and source of proof of the working of theoretical physics theories.
1. How did it refelct and change the way you view the world
2. Get more deeper about the science of the book
THE NATURE OF SPACE AND TIME
7
References
Penrose, S. H. (1996). The Nature of Space and Time. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
The Royal Society. (2019, November 7). Roger Penrose. Retrieved from The Royal Society:
m
https://royalsociety.org/people/roger-penrose-12076/
The University of Cambridge. (2019, November 7). Professor Stephen Hawking. Retrieved k
m
from University of Cambridge: https://www.cam.ac.uk/stephenhawking
TIME
the country (University of Cambridge, 2019). Positions that would exemplify his genius and
drive his research and lectures on the subject.
Sir Roger Penrose is also an English mathematician, theoretical physicist, and
philosopher of science, renowned for his endeavors in theoretical physics. His background in
physics was centered on mathematical physics and the research on cosmology and general
relativity. He also developed his mathematical theories, one of which explained the workings
of black holes and how stars collapse into them. His work on general relativity in partnership
with Stephen Hawking would lead to the Hawking-Penrose Singularity Theorem and win
both of them the Wolf Prize in 1988, which they would share (The Royal Society, 2019).
Both authors are considered some of the most brilliant theoretical physicists and
mathematicians of modern times. HOW
though they worked together on various aspects
and even developed a theory that would win them the Wolf Prize, they do hold slightly
differing views regarding theoretical physics, particularly General Relativity. It is because of
the difference in views that they sought to document their lectures on the subject and
highlight their differences and the debate that still raged on, not just between them but the
physics would as well regarding theoretical physics' most held theories.
The book is set as a debate between Stephen Hawking and Roger Penrose. It
documents the series of lectures they gave at a six-month program at the Isaac Newton
Institute of Mathematical Science at the University of Cambridge. The book is essentially a
7
sort of minute to the lectures given over the six months by both physicists. The authors seek
to provide the reader with a word for word account of the lectures given by each of them,
including the diagrams used, the questions and responses, the points of contrast as well as the
THE NATURE OF SPACE AND TIME
2.
Analysis: The Nature of Space and Time
Physics as a subject and science has evolved greatly over the years, from the era of
Newton to Einstein, with various theories put forth to explain and theorize various
phenomena. The continuous evolution of science has led to different theories some
considered classical and others seen as radical and divergent from the norm. Furthermore,
there is the rise in some of the most famous used and argued about theories, General
LONG
Relativity, Special Relativity, Quantum Field Theory and Quantum Theory, which have
Soutono
emerged at the forefront of debates regarding the nature of space and time, black holes, light
and the impact of gravity and reality itself. The debates surrounding the application of
theories and the interpretations drawn from them has attracted arguably the greatest minds in
modern physics, Stephen Hawking and Roger Penrose, both ardent mathematicians and
theoretical physicist, to put forth a publication highlighting their lectures on the subject of
space and time and the use and interpretation of physics theories relating to them. This paper
looks to give an analysis of this book, The Nature of Space and Time.
The book has, as one would expect for a book centered on debating theoretical
physics, two authors, Stephen Hawking and Roger Penrose. Professor Stephen William
Hawking was a renowned English mathematician, theoretical physicist, and cosmologist. He
undertook to study and explain the theories surrounding cosmology, quantum mechanics, and
general relativity and, more importantly, put forth his theories on the subjects. He was for
most of his career a Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at the University of Cambridge from
1979 and 2009 and earlier studied physics at the University College, Oxford. He would later
hold various notable positions and memberships in physics research bodies and institutes in
REOL SPACE AND TIME
on the ones in General Relativity, Quantun Theory, and Quantum Mechanics could and
should be applied proved that each of these complex theories could be employed differently
depending on the thoughts and underlying approach one took. They kiffering interpretations
regarding the usformation loss due to black lioles, the application of Wick Rotation in
Quantum Theory, and their view of the importance and applieation of Schrödinger's cat
thought experiment. Furthermore, the book which bases much of the arguments on thought
experiments and theoretical designs proves that theoretical physics is not necessarily based on
solid pre established truths as previously viewed, but rather, is reliant on mathematical
formula to verify the validity of a given theory. Mathematics is, therefore, the determinant
and source of proof of the working of theoretical physics theories
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