Subscribe now

Letter: We will get closer to the true nature of reality

Published 13 November 2024

From Don Dennis, Isle of Gigha, Argyll and Bute, UK

I see inherent self-contradiction in Daniele Oriti’s statement that “we make reality”. This is to claim to know reality. It is akin to saying that “there is no truth in words” (12 October, p 40).

Science advances roughly in step with our ability to make measurement. We have had only a few centuries of scientific progress. Imagine what perspective we may have on the underlying nature of the universe if we were to survive in societally decent ways for another million years. I doubt that reality is capable of being fully understood, but our glimpses will become more compelling as we manage to make finer, increasingly groundbreaking measurements.

Issue no. 3517 published 16 November 2024

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox. We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers.

Sign up
Piano Exit Overlay Banner Mobile Piano Exit Overlay Banner Desktop