Meet New Books
Meet New Books
Book Cover

Why Does the World Exist?: An Existential Detective Story

Save:
Find on Amazon

Jim Holt's book 'Why Does the World Exist?: An Existential Detective Story' delves into the profound question of why there is something rather than nothing. Holt embarks on a journey to explore this existential mystery by interviewing renowned scientists, philosophers, and writers, presenting their diverse perspectives on the origins of the universe. Through thought-provoking conversations and interludes detailing snippets of his own life, Holt navigates complex theories of cosmology, metaphysics, and theology, making the abstract concepts accessible to readers. The book skillfully weaves together historical and modern thoughts on existence, challenging readers to contemplate the fundamental nature of reality and the human quest for understanding.

Holt's writing style is engaging and thought-provoking, blending intellectual inquiry with personal anecdotes and philosophical musings. With a blend of humor, curiosity, and intellectual rigor, he guides readers through a narrative that humanizes the profound questions of existence. The book offers a comprehensive exploration of the various explanations provided by theologians, physicists, and philosophers throughout history, inviting readers to ponder the mysteries of the universe and confront the complexities of existence.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by accessibility and humor, blending personal narrative with serious philosophical exploration.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative centers on probing the profound question of existence by interviewing a spectrum of thinkers, leading to a wealth of theories and discussions without a definitive answer.

Setting:

The setting is primarily defined by Holt's travels to meet a diverse array of thinkers, deepening the exploration of existential questions.

Pacing:

The pacing is deliberate, inviting thoughtful engagement with challenging concepts while interspersed with personal anecdotes to maintain interest.
I would earnestly warn you against trying to find out the reason for and explanation of everything. . . . To try and find out the reason for everything is very dangerous and leads to nothing but disap...

Notes:

The book addresses the profound question: Why is there something rather than nothing?
Holt approaches the question through interviews with various philosophers, scientists, and writers.
He discusses historical views on existence from ancient Greek philosophers to modern thinkers.
The author doesn’t claim a definitive answer, reflecting the complexity of the question.
Several theories are explored, including quantum fluctuations, multiverses, and the God hypothesis.
Holt travels to multiple cities, including Paris and London, to engage with thinkers.
The book combines elements of autobiography and travelogue with philosophical inquiry.
Holt engages with well-known figures like John Updike, Roger Penrose, and Neil deGrasse Tyson.
Readers can find sections difficult yet rewarding, encouraging deep contemplation.
Holt suggests that the act of pondering such questions can be enriching, regardless of finding an answer.

From The Publisher:

The Washington Post Notable Non-Fiction of 2013

"I can imagine few more enjoyable ways of thinking than to read this book."-Sarah Bakewell, New York Times Book Review, front-page review

Tackling the "darkest question in all of philosophy" with "raffish erudition" (Dwight Garner, New York Times), author Jim Holt explores the greatest metaphysical mystery of all: why is there something rather than nothing? This runaway bestseller, which has captured the imagination of critics and the public alike, traces our latest efforts to grasp the origins of the universe. Holt adopts the role of cosmological detective, traveling the globe to interview a host of celebrated scientists, philosophers, and writers, "testing the contentions of one against the theories of the other" (Jeremy Bernstein, Wall Street Journal). As he interrogates his list of ontological culprits, the brilliant yet slyly humorous Holt contends that we might have been too narrow in limiting our suspects to God versus the Big Bang. This "deft and consuming" (David Ulin, Los Angeles Times) narrative humanizes the profound questions of meaning and existence it confronts.

Ratings (1)

It Was OK (1)

Reader Stats (3):

Read It (2)
Want To Read (1)

1 comment(s)

7 months

Why, oh, why I did it to myself?!

Okay, so I generally know why and there are several reasons for this. Although none is good enough for me to read this book to the end.

First of all, and it made me borrow this book from the library at all, I desperately needed this book for one of my reading challenges. It is a challenge that I would love to finish as soon as possible, preferably this year. And unfortunately it turns out that I can do it faster by reading books that I usually don't read, outside my usual comfort zone. Sometimes that's good. I have read several books that I would not otherwise read, at least not now. But unfortunately it didn't work in this case.

I never liked philosophy. I avoided it as much as I could, and throughout my studies I chose all the other possible classes to avoid philosophy. I almost succeeded, only when I got my PhD I had to pass the philosophy exam.

But it's also true that when I do something of my own choice, and not because I need it for school or university, I often like it a lot more. So I thought I would give this philosophical book a try. Thanks to this exam I passed I know some basics. I'm in no hurry. I have plenty of time to read this book. Nobody will question me about it. I can read it slowly and who knows, I may even like it. Or so I thought.

And it even promised to be a good book. Such a little science for the uninitiated. You know, philosophical detective story ... I was expecting something well-written, which will allow me to finally immerse myself in philosophy and have some fun while doing on the way.

But unfortunately, it's still a philosophical book, and I still hate philosophy. And this book not only cites extensive quotes from many famous philosophers, but also strongly relates to religion and the issue of God's existence. And if there is something I don't like as much as philosophy, it's theology. The combination of the two had to end in failure for me.

This book was a kind of experiment for me. I wanted to know if I would be able to enjoy a book about philosophy if I chose it of my own free will and if it was a popularized version. And my experiment brought a clear result. The hypothesis has been refuted. I still hate philosophy and can't read a book about philosophy for pleasure.

I decided not to rate this book, since obviously it is my fault that I didn't like it. Those who are interested in philosophy or religion can enjoy it.

 

About the Author:

Jim Holt, a prominent essayist and critic on philosophy, mathematics, and science, is a frequent contributor to the New York Times Book Review and the New York Review of Books. He lives in New York City.

 
Meet New Books is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to products and services on amazon.com and its subsidiaries.
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.