The Art of the Soluble: Creativity and Originality in Science by Peter B. Medawar

The book is a collection of essays that explore the nature of scientific inquiry, the process of problem-solving, and the role of creativity and originality in scientific discoveries. It delves into the philosophical aspects of science, the relationship between science and literature, and the importance of skepticism and criticism in scientific progress. The author also discusses the characteristics of a good scientist and the interplay between theory and experiment in the scientific method.

The 3293rd greatest book of all time

Ranking Details:

Our ranking system awards points to books based on their appearance and position on curated lists. Here's how it works:

Unranked Lists: For lists without specific rankings, each book receives points equivalent to the list's weight. This approach recognizes the book's inclusion on prestigious lists.

Ranked Lists: Books on ranked lists receive points in two ways:

  • Base Points: Initially, every book is awarded points equal to the list's weight, acknowledging its significance.
  • Bonus Points: Additionally, books earn bonus points based on their ranking. The total bonus pool, equal to 100% of the list's weight, is distributed among the books, with higher-ranked books receiving more points.

Exponential Distribution: The distribution of bonus points follows an exponential model. This means the top-ranked book (#1) receives significantly more bonus points than those further down the list (e.g., #100). Our algorithm ensures that higher placements are rewarded more generously, reflecting the achievement of a top rank on any given list.

This scoring system ensures that each book's ranking reflects both its presence on multiple lists and its positions within those lists, providing a comprehensive measure of its acclaim and popularity.

Total Points: 111

Since this book was first published in 1967, there is a penalty of 0%. The age adjusted score is 111.0.

This is to prevent newer books from reaching super high on the ranked list of the greatest books of all time. The greatest books should also stand the test of time.