by Richard Feynman
ISBN: 978-01402-7666-4
First published 1995
138 pages
Publisher: Penguin Science
Cover illustration by Andy Bridge
Star rating unavailable
A star rating is unavailable for this book. In its introduction Feynman describes how the book’s intended audience is Physicists, specifically those commencing an undergraduate degree in Physics, but really for any physicist that is interesting in revisiting some of the fundamental teachings of Physics. It is not a ‘Popular Science’ book, and is not written for the casual reader.
Nevertheless, it is an astounding work of teaching, a charismatic and energetic piece of writing. Feynman himself edited the text from the lecture notes he made to his undergraduate class at Caltech. The use of analogy throughout helps students in their understanding of physics.
The six pieces are as follows:
- Atoms in Motion
- Basic Physics (Before 1920, Quantum Mechanics, Nuclei and Particles)
- The Relation of Physics to Other Sciences (Chemistry, Biology, Astronomy, Geology, Psychology)
- Conservation of Energy
- The Theory of Gravitation
- Quantum Behaviour
The most easily readable of these 6 sections is 3) the Relation of Physics to Other Sciences. Feynman excludes Maths from this section as not being a ‘Natural Science’. It is clear Feynman has little time for Psychology, inviting us to consult ‘witch-doctors’ before Psychologists, as neither is a science and the ‘witch-doctor’ may know more.
Indeed Psychoanalysis cannot be proved, to quote Feynman, it “has not been checked carefully by experiment, and there is no way to find a list of the number of cases in which it works, the number of cases in which it does not work, etc.“
A recommended read for anyone interested in science.
The Eclectic Book Review 
My father always said ‘Psychology is not an exact science’ and was very dismissive of it. But today there are studies and verified experiments. Psychology is ignored at your peril. We are not just a product of our DNA but of the circumstances we live.
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