A Brief History Of Time

Trace humanity’s understanding of the solar system. How did Aristotle, Ptolemy, Kepler, Copernicus, and Newton improve upon each other’s ideas? Who created the model of the solar system as we understand it today? How does Hawking suggest this history will inform how future science might unfold?

What is Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle and how does it put a limit on how much we can know about the future? What are the philosophical and ideological implications of the theory? Support your answer with evidence from the text.

How does Hawking’s discussion of a Grand Unified Theory relate to all three of the book’s major themes: The Need for Humility in the Process of Scientific Discovery, Humanity’s Shift from Philosophy to Science, and The Search for the Ultimate Answer? Discuss how this hypothetical solution to the universe is at the core of Hawking’s thematic arguments.