The quest for a Theory of Everything has captivated the minds of scientists and philosophers for centuries. In this blog/article titled “Quest for a Theory of Everything Summary,” we delve into the fascinating world of theoretical physics and explore the ongoing search for a single framework that can explain the fundamental forces and particles that govern the universe. Read More Plus One English Summaries.
Stephen Hawking was a brilliant physicist who was diagnosed with ALS at the age of 21. Despite his diagnosis, he refused to give up on his dreams and continued his studies at Cambridge University. He eventually earned a PhD in theoretical physics and made significant contributions to our understanding of the universe.
Quest for a Theory of Everything Summary
Quest for a Theory of Everything Summary in English
– Kitty Gail Ferguson
On 29 April 1980, in the Cockcroft Lecture Room, many scientists and university dignitaries were seated. The occasion was the inaugural lecture by a new Lucasian Professor of Mathematics, Stephen Hawking, who was a mathematician and physicist. He was 38 years old.
The title of the lecture was “Is the End in Sight for Theoretical Physics?’ His listeners were surprised when Hawkins said it was. He invited them to join him in a sensational escape through time and space to find the Holy Grail of science – the theory that explains the universe and everything that happens in it. (The Holy Grail is the cup used by Jesus Christ at the Last Supper.)
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Stephen Hawking sat silently in a wheelchair as one of his students read his lecture to the audience. Judging by his appearance, Hawking did not look the kind of person to lead any adventure. Hawking was born on 8 January 1942, in Oxford, England. It was exactly 300 years after the death of Galileo, the father of modern science. Frank and Isobel Hawking, Stephen’s parents, were not wealthy. But they believed in the value of education. So they wanted to send Stephen to Westminster Public School, which is in the heart of London. Unfortunately, Stephen was ill at the time of the scholarship examination for Westminster. So, he attended the local St. Alban’s school.
By the time he was 8, he was thinking of becoming a scientist. His father encouraged him to study medicine, but Stephen found biology too imprecise. He wanted a subject that gave exact answers and so he could get into the root of things.
Stephen was not a miracle boy. He was just an ordinary English boy. He was slow in learning to read and his handwriting was bad. He was ranked somewhere in the middle of the class. In his defence Stephen Hawking now says, ‘It was a very bright class’, meaning he was not among the top students because all the students in the class were very bright!
At 14, Stephen decided to study mathematics and physics. His father was not happy because he said there were no jobs in mathematics except teaching. Moreover he wanted his son to attend Oxford where he himself had studied, but Oxford offered no mathematics. So Stephen followed his father’s advice and studied chemistry, physics and only a little mathematics in preparation for the entrance to Oxford. He did well in physics and was accepted there. In 1959, at 17, Hawking went to Oxford to study natural science and to specialize in physics. He joined University College, the oldest at Oxford, founded in 1249 AD. His father had studied there.
For about one year, Hawking was lonely and bored. He did not feel any inspiration to do well in his academics. But by the middle of 2nd year, he began enjoying Oxford. He became popular and was well accepted by his peers. He was lively, buoyant and adaptable. He had long hair. He was famous for his wit. He liked classical music and science fiction. He took part in sports.
By the end of the 3rd year, however, things were bad for Hawking. He selected theoretical physics as his specialty. He had then applied to do a Ph.D. at Cambridge. He was accepted on the condition that he got a ‘First’ from Oxford. Hawking thought he could get through successfully. But as the examination came, his confidence failed. Hawking got only borderline marks between a first and a second.
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As he had only a borderline result, his examiners called him for an interview and asked him about his plans. He told the examiners boldly, “If I get a first, I shall go to Cambridge. If I receive a second, I will remain at Oxford. So I expect that you will give me a first.’ He got his ‘First’ and he went to Cambridge.
His first year at Cambridge was worse than that at Oxford. His poor mathematical background troubled him. He found general relativity extremely tough. There was even a bigger problem. During his 3rd year, he had started getting a bit careless. He had fallen once or twice for no apparent reason. Soon he had trouble tying his shoes and sometimes he had difficulty in talking.
In 1963, shortly after his 21st birthday, he got a rare disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, for which there was no known cure. It caused a gradual disintegration of the nerve cells in the spinal cord and the brain. He went into a deep depression. He did not know what to do and what his future would be.
He said that his dreams at that time were very confusing. Before his condition was diagnosed he was bored with life. But after he came out of hospital, he dreamt that he was going to be executed. He realized then that there were a lot of important things to do if he was given a reprieve – more time to live.
Another recurring dream he used to have was sacrificing his life to save others. If he was going to die, he thought, he should do some good things. The doctors thought his condition would stabilize but it went from bad to worse. They told him that he had only 2 years to live.
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Two years passed. The disease slowed down. He did not die. He said that although a cloud was hanging over his future, he was enjoying the present more than before. Hawking was getting some more time to live and life was precious.
Just before Hawking entered the hospital for tests, he met Jane Wilde at a New Year’s Party at St. Alban’s. She thought Hawking was very intelligent, eccentric and rather arrogant. But he was interesting and she liked his wit. When Jane met him after his discharge from the hospital, he was in a sad state. She felt that he had lost his will to live and he was very confused. She was not put off by his physical or mental condition. She was a shy teenager with a strong faith in God. This faith was ingrained in her by her mother. Jane believed that good can come out of any adversity.
Hawking liked her optimism and their friendship grew. They thought that together they could make something good. For Stephen it made a big difference. He applied for a research fellowship at Caius, once of the colleges of Cambridge University. In 1965, when he was 23, he received his fellowship at Caius. In July, 1965, he married Jane.
People remember Hawking moving about in the University with a cane, supporting himself against the wall. He spoke with a slight speech impediment. People remember his brashness in sessions in which some of the most distinguished scientist spoke. While other young researchers kept silent, Hawking daringly asked unexpected questions. He knew what he was talking about. His reputation as ‘a genius’ and ‘another Einstein’ began then.
In 1980, a practical need for funds made him start a new enterprise. It was to have a far-reaching impact on the Hawkings and others in the world. He thought of writing a book about the universe. He wanted to write about the most interesting questions that had made him study cosmology and quantum theory. Where did the universe come from? Is it infinite? Does it have any boundaries? Will it come to an end? If so, how? Is there a complete theory of the universe and everything in it? Is there a beginning of time? Could time run back? The book begins by recounting the great theories of the cosmos from Newton to Einstein. His purpose in writing the book was to make science understandable to non-scientists.
He completed the first draft in 1984. As he was revising it, he went to Switzerland. There he caught pneumonia and was on a life-supporting system. Doctors suggested a tracheotomy operation.’This would result in the removal of his windpipe. It might save his life, but he would never again speak or even make a vocal sound. Jane, with reluctance, consented to the surgery.
Hawking could no longer breathe through his mouth and nose. So, a permanent opening was made in his throat. After many weeks of intensive care, he went home to join Jane and their three children. He was too weak and ill to continue his research. Walt Woltosz, a computer expert in California, sent him a programme he had developed. It was called the Equalizer. It would allow Hawking to select words from the screen.
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Hawking thought he would not be able to complete his book. With the support of his student Brian Whitt, ‘A Brief History of Time was published in 1988. In September 2005, an abridged version of the original book was published. This version was updated to include the new issues that had arisen due to further scientific developments.
In the book we can see a number of paradoxes:
a) In science and with people, things are often not what they seem.
b) Pieces that ought to fit together refuse to do so.
c) You will learn that beginnings may be endings.
d) Cruel circumstances can lead to happiness, although fame and success may not.
e) Two great scientific theories taken together seem to give us nonsense.
f) Empty space is not empty.
g) Black holes are not black.
It is a miracle that Hawking was able to achieve everything he has and he is still alive. When we experience his intelligence and humor, we tend to take his unusual mode of communication and his terrible physical problems very lightly. That is exactly what he wants. He chooses to ignore the difficulty and he expects others to have the same attitude. Hawking has overcome his crippling disease to become a shining star of world physics.
Stephen Hawking’s life and work are an inspiration to us all. He showed us that anything is possible if we set our minds to it, even in the face of great adversity. His quest for a Theory of Everything is a reminder that we are still learning about the universe, and that there is still much to be discovered. His legacy will continue to inspire people for generations to come.