An incisive account of the tumultuous relationship between Alexander Hamilton and James Madison and of the origins of our wealthy yet highly unequal nationIn the history of American politics, there are few stories as enigmatic as that of Alexander Hamilton and James Madison's bitterly personal falling out. Together they helped bring the Constitution into being, yet soon after the new republic was born, they broke over the meaning of its founding document. Hamilton emphasized economic growth, Madison the importance of republican principles.Jay Cost is the first to argue that both men were right--and that their quarrel reveals a fundamental paradox at the heart of the American experiment. He shows that each man in his own way came to accept corruption as a necessary cost of growth. The Price of Greatness reveals the trade-off that made the United States the wealthiest nation in human history, and that continues to fracture our politics to this day.
My study of history did not provide a compare and contrast of Madison and Hamilton. Mr. Cost provides an excellent comparison of the political philosophy of Madison and Hamilton. He also teaches a beautiful truth for all statesmen through Hamilton. Though one may believe they know a person or people, they are not necessarily dependable when placed in a situation of personal gain versus national interest. Mr. Cost also points out the change that happened in our founders as time past. Madison accepted Hamilton's views as Madison took on other responsibilities.
This book was a pleasure to read and filled in my understanding of 18th century America. The only negative that I can type of this book is actually a statement of my vocabulary. I found the Kindel's dictionary very useful. Mr. Cost used words that I was unfamiliar with. My assessment of my own vocabulary was adjusted.
A contrarian argues that modern physicists' obsession with beauty has given us wonderful math but bad science
Whether pondering black holes or predicting discoveries at CERN, physicists believe the best theories are beautiful, natural, and elegant, and this standard separates popular theories from disposable ones. This is why, Sabine Hossenfelder argues, we have not seen a major breakthrough in the foundations of physics for more than four decades. The belief in beauty has become so dogmatic that it now conflicts with scientific objectivity: observation has been unable to confirm mindboggling theories, like supersymmetry or grand unification, invented by physicists based on aesthetic criteria. Worse, these "too good to not be true" theories are actually untestable and they have left the field in a cul-de-sac. To escape, physicists must rethink their methods. Only by embracing reality as it is can science discover the truth.
I was intrigued by this book from the start. Being a physics and math nerd, the author had me. It was curious to me. Her thesis is that science, particularly particle physics theory, has been led astray by a non-scientific pursuit of the aesthetic quality of theories "beauty." It has been very common for me to hear and for me to say regarding some of the math of theories that have been proven that the math is beautiful. Maxwell's equations for electromagnetism are beautiful. Four "simple" equations that explain all of the electromagnetics is beautiful in my mind. Have I been led astray by this principle of beauty?
Dr. Hossenfelder interviews numerous scientists in her field and outside her area to see if this approach has hijacked science from is experimental roots. As an experimental physicist, I found the book very enjoyable and a little disturbing. Have we been led astray? Have we left the truth of scientific research for a group think pursuit of beauty?
