Van de Schoonheid en de Troost — Season 1, Episode 6: Thor, Newton, Einstein: Steven Weinberg

Episode synopsis

Interview with Steven Weinberg, American theoretical physicist (in his office at the University of Texas in Austin, Texas). Weinberg talks about the demythologization of the world and the consolation for this loss that can be found in the beauty of physical theories. He compares the beauty of the laws of physics (including Albert Einstein's theory of relativity) with perfection in artistic expressions such as the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. Attention is also paid to symmetrical principles, the insoluble question "why?" and the current trend to make something magical out of science. Weinberg explains why he disapproves of this trend. Weinberg's opinion that religion is a myth that will disappear is also discussed.

About Van de Schoonheid en de Troost

To his guests – artists, scientists, writers, philosophers and musicians – Wim Kayzer in Of Beauty and Consolation asks the philosophical question: What makes this life worth living?

More episodes from Season 1

• E1Fathers Roses: Wole Soyinka
• E2Homecoming: Roger Scruton
• E3Alone on the mountain: Jane Goodall
• E4The Code of Pasternak: George Steiner
• E5The End of the Thirteenth: Vladimir Ashkenazy
• E7Guilt: Martha Nussbaum
• E8You Are There and You Are Not: Karel Appel
• E9The Greatest Mystery Is Not the Universe: Edward Witten
• E10Dear Mother: Elizabeth Loftus
• E11When My Father Was Still Big: Rutger Kopland
• E12What's Mary Doing in the Cave: Gary Lynch
• E13John the Myth: Stephen Jay Gould