Boundaries of the knowable

Professor Russell Stannard OBE delves into the question of whether we can...

Professor Russell Stannard OBE delves into the question of whether we can ever go beyond the boundaries of what we know.

By: Professor Russell Stannard (The Open University, Science faculty, Department of Physical Sciences)

Duration: 5 mins
Published on: Tuesday 9th February 2010
Introductory Level
Posted under: Body & Mind, What's On

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Copyrighted imageCredit: Used with permission

In this 10 part series from The Open University, Professor Russell Stannard OBE delves into subjects ranging from free will and determinism, to space and the nature of time, asking if we can ever go beyond the boundaries of what we know.

Consciousness and the limits of science Copyrighted imageCredit: Production team

Professor Russell Stannard asks how can we ever understand the relationship between consciousness and the physical brain. Read more : Consciousness and the limits of science

Are we really free to choose? Copyrighted imageCredit: By Famosissimo Biole via Flickr under Creative Commons licence

All day long we have to make choices. Professor Russell Stannard asks if we’re really free to choose. Read more : Are we really free to choose?

The meaningless Big Bang question Copyrighted imageCredit: Production team

Professor Russell Stannard explores what kind of universe we live in and what caused the Big Bang. Read more : The meaningless Big Bang question

ET, life and the universe Copyrighted imageCredit: Production team

Is there intelligent life out there? Professor Russell Stannard examines various possibilities, and our chances of ever finding out about them. Read more : ET, life and the universe

The size of the universe Copyrighted imageCredit: Production team

Professor Russell Stannard investigates what is beyond the observable universe and explores claims that the universe might close back on itself. Read more : The size of the universe

More to space than meets the eye Copyrighted imageCredit: Production team

Professor Russell Stannard explains why the word ‘space’ – so-called empty space – isn’t simply another name for ‘nothing’. Read more : More to space than meets the eye

Is time the same for everyone? Copyrighted imageCredit: Production team

We all start off thinking there is just the one time – the same for everyone. Professor Russell Stannard illustrates how relativity theory shows this... Read more : Is time the same for everyone?

The nature of matter Copyrighted imageCredit: Production team

Professor Russell Stannard explores the nature of matter and how complete our understanding of matter can be. Read more : The nature of matter

Paradox of wave-particles Copyrighted imageCredit: Production team

Professor Russell Stannard looks at the wave-particle paradox and Niels Bohr’s solution to it. Read more : Paradox of wave-particles

Discover superstrings Copyrighted imageCredit: Production team

The popular theory that the ultimate constituents of matter are not point-like at all but instead consist of superstrings is explored by Professor Russell Stannard. Read more : Discover superstrings