Ebook: In Our Own Image: Personal Symmetry in Discovery

The title of our volume refers to what is well described by the following two quota­ tions:"Godcreated man in his own image"l and "Man creates God in his own image."2 Our approach to symmetry is subjective, and the term "personal" symmetry reflects this approach in our discussion of selected scientific events. We have chosen six icons to symbolize six areas: Kepler for modeling, Fuller for new molecules, Pauling for helical structures, Kitaigorodskii for packing, Bernal for quasicrystals, and Curie for dissymmetry. For the past three decades we have been involved in learning, thinking, speaking, and writing about symmetry. This involvement has augmented our principal activities in molecular structure research. Our interest in symmetry had started with a simple fascination and has evolved into a highly charged personal topic for us. At the start of this volume, we had had several authored and edited symmetry related books behind 3 us. We owe a debt of gratitude to the numerous people whose interviews are quoted 4 in this volume. We very much appreciate the kind and gracious cooperation of Edgar J. Applewhite (Washington, DC), Lawrence S. Bartell (University of Michigan), R.

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This book inquires into the nature of scientific discovery. The focus is on six personalities and six scientific fields: Johannes Kepler and modeling, Buckminster Fuller and molecules, Linus Pauling and helices of biological systems, A. Kitaiigorodskii and packing of shapes, D.J.Bernal and quasicrystals, and Pierre Curie and symmetry breaking. Excerpts from conversations with 40 leading scientists, including 17 Nobel laureates, enliven the discussion. Culture and science blend inseparably in this book and natural curiosity is the only prerequisite to enjoy it. The award winning authors created this book for the interested general public and it is illustrated by striking images.

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This book inquires into the nature of scientific discovery. The focus is on six personalities and six scientific fields: Johannes Kepler and modeling, Buckminster Fuller and molecules, Linus Pauling and helices of biological systems, A. Kitaiigorodskii and packing of shapes, D.J.Bernal and quasicrystals, and Pierre Curie and symmetry breaking. Excerpts from conversations with 40 leading scientists, including 17 Nobel laureates, enliven the discussion. Culture and science blend inseparably in this book and natural curiosity is the only prerequisite to enjoy it. The award winning authors created this book for the interested general public and it is illustrated by striking images.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-xvii
Introduction....Pages 1-16
Perception and Symmetry....Pages 17-26
Johannes Kepler....Pages 27-52
Buckminster Fuller....Pages 53-81
Linus Pauling....Pages 83-112
Aleksandr Kitaigorodskii....Pages 113-143
Desmond Bernal....Pages 145-180
Pierre Curie....Pages 181-219
Epilogue....Pages 221-224
Back Matter....Pages 225-235

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This book inquires into the nature of scientific discovery. The focus is on six personalities and six scientific fields: Johannes Kepler and modeling, Buckminster Fuller and molecules, Linus Pauling and helices of biological systems, A. Kitaiigorodskii and packing of shapes, D.J.Bernal and quasicrystals, and Pierre Curie and symmetry breaking. Excerpts from conversations with 40 leading scientists, including 17 Nobel laureates, enliven the discussion. Culture and science blend inseparably in this book and natural curiosity is the only prerequisite to enjoy it. The award winning authors created this book for the interested general public and it is illustrated by striking images.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-xvii
Introduction....Pages 1-16
Perception and Symmetry....Pages 17-26
Johannes Kepler....Pages 27-52
Buckminster Fuller....Pages 53-81
Linus Pauling....Pages 83-112
Aleksandr Kitaigorodskii....Pages 113-143
Desmond Bernal....Pages 145-180
Pierre Curie....Pages 181-219
Epilogue....Pages 221-224
Back Matter....Pages 225-235
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