The nature of space and time. Hawking S., Penrose R.

Einstein wrote that the most incomprehensible in the universe is that it is comprehensible. In other words, there is no place for unpredictable in the world. But was he right? Is it possible to combine the quantum theory of fields and the general theory of relativity, the most successful physical theories, in one - the theory of quantum gravity, or the theory of everything? Is it possible to correlate quantum reality and boundless cosmos? This is what the discussion of two leading theoretical physicists of the planet is devoted to this: positivist Stephen Hawking and realist Roger Penrose. The first is confident that I am not able to describe the moment of formation of the universe - only a new united theory that accepts the condition for the absence of borders will be able to explain the observation data. The second, as well as Albert Einstein, casts doubt on the unconditions of quantum theory and is sure that the Universe will expand forever, and this can be explained through the geometry of light cones, compression and distortion of the fabric of space-time and its own twistor theory. Arguments and counterarguments - in the formulas and strict reasoning familiar to scientists - the authors presented in the format of lectures, which were originally read at the Institute of Mathematical Sciences of Isaac Newton (Cambridge).