Part 7/23:
He discusses how humans, as intelligent beings capable of self-awareness, seek symbolic immortality—through science, art, storytelling, and legacy—since physical existence is transient. Using metaphors like the Empire State Building scale, Greene illustrates the vastness of cosmic time and our fleeting but remarkable presence within it.
The Development of Scientific Understanding
Reflecting on the history of science, Greene marvels at recent progress: from Galileo and Newton to quantum mechanics and cosmology, humanity's grasp of the universe has advanced rapidly over a few centuries. He marvels at our capacity to predict phenomena—solar eclipses, particle behavior—with astonishing accuracy, largely owing to the power of mathematics rooted in physical laws.