Revisiting Schrödinger's "What Is Life?": How a quantum physicist's 1944 book on biology still resonates today
This article examines Erwin Schrödinger's 1944 book "What Is Life?" and its enduring relevance in the 21st century. Written by Karmela Padavic-Callaghan, the piece explores how the pioneering quantum physicist ventured outside his expertise to ask fundamental questions about living organisms, and how that跨界 work continues to influence science today. The article assesses the book's impact as one of the most influential popular-science works of the 20th century and evaluates whether its ideas still hold up.
Key quotes
A scientist is supposed to write within his field of expertise as a matter of noblesse oblige
I beg to renounce the noblesse
One of the most influential popular-science books of the 20th century
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