The theory to end all theories | Peter Woit, Becky Parker, Hilary Lawson

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Published on May 25, 2023 3:30:10 PM ● Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQXpE5W0uRo

Duration: 14:49

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Does scientific progress rely on chasing after a 'theory of everything'?

Becky Parker, Hilary Lawson and Peter Woit share their views.

Watch the full debate at https://iai.tv/video/the-theory-to-end-all-theories?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=description

Not so long ago many scientists, and Stephen Hawking central among them, claimed a theory of everything was just round the corner. Far from being round the corner it now looks less and less likely. In 2010 Hawking changed his mind and abandoned the theory altogether, arguing that all scientific theories were models and that we would never be able to arrive at a single account.

Was Hawking right, and does the end of the theory of everything point to a bigger shift in our understanding of what science itself can achieve? Should we see science as always being from a particular perspective and not capable of ultimately describing reality at all, let alone being complete? Or is there a possible model that could be so effective that it can be deemed to be true?

#PeterWoit #BeckyParker #HilaryLawson

Theoretical physicist Peter Woit, physicist and educator Becky Parker and critic of realism Hilary Lawson test their theories of everything. Hosted by award-winning science documentary filmmaker David Malone.

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