"Quantum Genius: The Biography of Paul Dirac" Reading Notes#
Author: Graham Farmelo
Reading Time: 5 hours
These are the notes and excerpts I recorded while reading "Quantum Genius: The Biography of Paul Dirac" on WeChat Reading.
Preface#
A society's tolerance for eccentricity is usually proportional to the amount of talent, intellectual vigor, and moral courage it possesses. Few dare to act in bizarre ways now, which is precisely the danger of this era. — John Stuart Mill, "On Liberty," 1869
A society's tolerance for eccentricity is usually proportional to the amount of talent, intellectual vigor, and moral courage it possesses. Few dare to act in bizarre ways now, which is precisely the danger of this era. — John Stuart Mill, "On Liberty," 1869
Chapter Three: Experience in Engineering#
His ethical view is largely utilitarian; he believes that the ultimate good is the good that brings the greatest happiness to the most people, and the correctness of human actions should be judged based on their contribution to public happiness.
His ethical view is largely utilitarian; he believes that the ultimate good is the good that brings the greatest happiness to the most people, and the correctness of human actions should be judged based on their contribution to public happiness.
Chapter Six: Emerging Talent#
My sorrow is all within; the outward signs of grief are merely the shadows of that invisible sadness quietly filling the suffering soul. — Shakespeare, "Richard II," Act 4, Scene 1
My sorrow is all within; the outward signs of grief are merely the shadows of that invisible sadness quietly filling the suffering soul. — Shakespeare, "Richard II," Act 4, Scene 1
Chapter Nine: Friendship with Oppenheimer#
Immediate complementarity.
Immediate complementarity.
Chapter Seventeen: Reflections on Morality and Religion#
Those living in this vast world must eventually face the end of life, which provides a logical reason for their selfless spirit. ... The fact that human life is finite compels people to take an interest in things that may continue to exist after death.
Those living in this vast world must eventually face the end of life, which provides a logical reason for their selfless spirit. ... The fact that human life is finite compels people to take an interest in things that may continue to exist after death.
Chapter Eighteen: Almost Refusing the Nobel Prize#
For a boy, there is almost no misfortune more severe than the consequences brought about by having an extremely affectionate mother.
For a boy, there is almost no misfortune more severe than the consequences brought about by having an extremely affectionate mother.
Chapter Twenty-Nine: The Curtain Falls on Life#
Just because the wick is about to run out of oil, and a heart full of passion has turned to ice, I only wish to hold in my hand the beauty of decay, pretending to be joyful, to comfort my heart. What of the bronze sculpture, the stubborn stone carving? Even if seen once, it suddenly becomes nowhere to be found again. Coming and going without a trace, wandering like a ghost. Leaving only the lonely and miserable, who has ever cared? Alas, we grow old; the vibrant beauty belongs to those who come after: why shed tears in vain, wasting effort in vain!
Just because the wick is about to run out of oil, and a heart full of passion has turned to ice, I only wish to hold in my hand the beauty of decay, pretending to be joyful, to comfort my heart. What of the bronze sculpture, the stubborn stone carving? Even if seen once, it suddenly becomes nowhere to be found again. Coming and going without a trace, wandering like a ghost. Leaving only the lonely and miserable, who has ever cared? Alas, we grow old; the vibrant beauty belongs to those who come after: why shed tears in vain, wasting effort in vain!
Acknowledgments#
Art is about "me," science is about "us."
Art is about "me," science is about "us."
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