DownloadThe Portobello Bookshop Gift Guide 2024

The Frontiers of Knowledge

What We Know About Science, History and The Mind

A C Grayling author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Penguin Books Ltd

Published:14th Apr '22

Should be back in stock very soon

The Frontiers of Knowledge cover

This insightful book explores the vast realms of knowledge, focusing on science, history, and psychology. The Frontiers of Knowledge challenges readers to consider what we truly understand.

In recent years, humanity has made significant strides in understanding the universe, our history, and ourselves. However, as we celebrate our achievements in knowledge acquisition, we also recognize the vast expanse of what remains unknown. For instance, current scientific understanding only covers about 5 percent of the universe, while countless historical sites await exploration in the ongoing revelation of pre-history. Additionally, the emerging fields of neuroscience are just beginning to unravel the complexities of the mind and brain.

The questions posed in The Frontiers of Knowledge are both profound and timely: What do we truly know, and how do we come to know it? What insights have we gained that highlight our ignorance? Furthermore, what barriers hinder our quest for deeper understanding? In an era marked by contentious debates over the nature of knowledge and truth, these inquiries are more critical than ever. A. C. Grayling, a renowned polymath and philosopher, embarks on a journey to address these questions across three pivotal domains of knowledge: science, history, and psychology.

This work serves as a remarkable exploration of the history of science, the evolution of life on Earth, and the intricacies of the human mind. The Frontiers of Knowledge is not only compelling but also written with clarity and a breadth of insight that captivates readers. It invites us to reflect on the great human endeavor of discovery and the challenges we face in our pursuit of understanding.

Grayling brings satisfying order to daunting subjects -- Steven Pinker
Remarkable, readable and authoritative. How he has mastered so much, so thoroughly, is nothing short of amazing -- Lawrence M. Krauss, author of A Universe from Nothing
This book hums with the excitement of the great human project of discovery -- Adam Zeman, author of Aphantasia
Prof. Grayling interweaves the recent scientific and archaeological advances into a compelling narrative of how much progress humans have made in the understanding of their place in the natural, social and cognitive worlds. And how ignorant we still remain providing strong motivation to further this understanding by new empirical evidence -- Tejidner Virdee FRS

AC Grayling tackles the questions science can't answer... a breathtaking book... Scholarly, lucid and accessible without being patronising or diluting, Grayling offers a masterly exegesis of current knowledge in three disciplines, as well as an analysis of what both opens and obstructs our access to such knowledge - in effect, four books in one

-- Jane O'Grady * The Telegraph *
An enthusiastic thinker who embraces humour, common sense and lucidity * Independent *

ISBN: 9780241304570

Dimensions: 198mm x 129mm x 26mm

Weight: 300g

432 pages