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This is the
book that fomented a revolution, and split the
world of science in two! It is required reading
for any student of physical science, history, philosophy,
or sociology.
 The Virtue of Heresy -
Confessions of a Dissident Astronomer is a
narrative account of the 30-year struggle by the
author to put the "physical" back into
"physics". With sporadic assistance from a fictional alter-ego character named Haquar, the
author traces the history of astronomy and
physics to the point of their confluence
with meta-mathematics. From there on, the
fundamental hypotheses of cosmology, and indeed
of physical science generally, became
increasingly detached from observed reality and
more like psychedelic mind games than works of
empirical science. Hilton Ratcliffe guilelessly
confronts these issues head-on, spicing the tale
with humour and fascinating anecdotes of his
association with some of the finest scientific
minds of our era. His passion for true science
and child-like awe at the wonders of the
Universe are infused in every line. A classic.
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Hilton Ratcliffe's first book is aimed
at the generally inquisitive, intelligent, but
not necessarily scientifically trained person,
and is designed to serve a fairly wide
variety of readers in popular science.
Philosophers, armchair astronomers, students of
history, professional scientists, and even those
wanting no more than a general introduction to
the field
will all take something from it.
Certainly, many
will find it interesting because it is highly
controversial.
The book exposes the blatant skewing of
scientific data by an informally associated
league of mathematical theorists. The author
argues that the method adopted by scientific
elite not only leads the world up the garden
path, but also brings with it a slew of
associated misconceptions.
In a relaxed, conversational style, and using a
fictional alter-ego character to introduce
controversial aspects of the story, he shares
with novice and expert his intense 35-year-long
fascination with astrophysics.
The world of
science is in turmoil. Because of the abstruse
and arcane nature of scientific jargon,
including the all-too-frequent use of advanced
mathematics to express ideas, the general public
is excluded from the unfolding drama. The author
tracks the development of
theoretical physics in the 20th and 21st
centuries, with emphasis on theoretical models
in cosmology ranging from Einstein’s Relativity
to M-Theory proposed by Hawking and others. In
layman’s language, and without using mathematics
as an argument, he juxtaposes the hypotheses
that result from employing meta-mathematical
modelling on one hand with those that result
from applying the classical, empirical
scientific method to the same problems on the
other. The stark divergence of results rings
alarm bells for the objective reader, who is
then led to an exposition of a
structural template underpinning all of physical
existence which in purely secular terms argues
against Darwinian evolution as a complete answer
to the advent of structure in the Universe.
Chapter one introduces the fictional character
Haquar, who takes the author to a place and time
in the universe where he (the author) can at
first hand witness cosmic events that challenge
what he has learnt during an orthodox university
education. He is left wondering why what he sees
does not match the model he accepted at school.
Chapter two declares the author’s “first
principles” and lays out the basis upon which
the X-Stream can proceed: an unending Universe
mapped by universal time. We meet Michael
Faraday, James Clerk Maxwell, and Edwin Hubble.
Chapter three is a summary account of the
prevailing Big Bang cosmology, emphasising its
lack of empirical foundation and support, and
showing how it was derived from a purely
conceptual, mathematical model.
Chapter four is an essay on light, the
fundamental tool-of-the-trade for astronomers.
The full range of electromagnetic radiation from
radio to gamma is explained (including the
Cosmic Microwave Background), as are the
concepts of redshift and Doppler effect, and the
time/distance dilemma.
Chapter five defines matter, explains the
relationship between matter, energy, and force,
and relates the saga of the search for the atom.
It discusses atomic structure as an example of
event thresholds in nature, and reveals evidence
for them in the laws of chemistry. It
also discusses the unique and seldom used view
of isotope decay as an instrument in
astrophysics.
Chapter six investigates the concept of an
expanding Universe. The notion of a finite
Universe is examined and logically rejected, and
the implications of this for universal expansion
and an absolute beginning in time are
delineated.
Chapter seven looks at large scale structure,
from stars to galaxy superclusters, using our
Solar System as a model. A completely revised
theory of galactic evolution is presented,
noting the very latest discoveries of anomalous
redshift measurements by leading astronomers.
Chapter eight reveals the pivotal role of
electricity in the cosmos. The Sun is examined
in detail, explaining such hitherto insoluble
problems as temperature inversion at the
surface, acceleration of the solar wind, and the
shortfall in measured neutrino outflows.
In chapter nine, space science guru Haquar
berates humankind for canonising and worshiping
mathematics, and urges the author to revive the
empirical scientific method by putting
“physical” back into “physics”. Classical
logical paradoxes are discussed and resolved,
and related to the foundations of Euclidian
mathematics.
Chapter ten details the nuances of classical
relativity, compares them with the abstractions
proposed by Einstein, and exposes the scientific
malpractice that was used to entrench Albert
Einstein and his theories as models of advanced
thinking. Famous experimental verifications of
Special and General Relativity are dissected and
found wanting, and experiments clearly
falsifying tenets of Einstein’s theoretical
model are discussed. Alternative explanations
using non-relativistic physics are suggested.
Chapter eleven discusses the implications of
quasi-scientific theories that completely
abandon experimental evidence and logic. We meet
Planck, Heisenberg, Schrödinger, Dirac, and
Hawking. Beginning with the intrinsically
implausible case of quantum mechanics, the
chapter traces the decline of theoretical
physics to the point where it becomes
unapologetically irrational.
In the epilogue, the author is challenged by
Haquar to show the need for the book, and in
effect it forms a précis of the principle
arguments of the author’s thesis.
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