The Poetry and Music of Science by Tom McLeish Summary
Physicist Tom McLeish brilliantly shatters the art-science divide, revealing their shared creative DNA. What if Einstein and Mozart followed identical imaginative processes? Cited in groundbreaking psychology research, this interdisciplinary masterpiece shows why aesthetic thinking drives scientific breakthroughs - and why that matters to you.
About the author
Tom McLeish (1962–2023), author of *The Poetry and Music of Science: Comparing Creativity in Science and Art*, was a distinguished physicist and interdisciplinary thinker celebrated for bridging scientific and humanistic inquiry. A Fellow of the Royal Society and former Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research at Durham University, his work explored soft matter physics while advocating for the interconnectedness of science, theology, and the arts. The book, blending philosophy and empirical study, examines creativity’s universal patterns across disciplines—a theme rooted in McLeish’s leadership of the *Ordered Universe* project, which reexamined medieval scientific texts. His earlier work, *Faith and Wisdom in Science*, established him as a pioneering voice in science-theology dialogues, earning the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Lanfranc Award. McLeish’s insights were shaped by his roles as chair of the Royal Society’s Education Committee and his Anglican lay readership, harmonizing rigorous scholarship with spiritual reflection. *The Poetry and Music of Science* has been acclaimed for its originality, translating complex concepts into accessible prose, and remains a cornerstone text in discussions about scientific creativity.
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"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
12117"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
12108"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
25417"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
964.5K"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
20116"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
37483"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
12117"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
12108"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
25417"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
964.5K"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
20116"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
37483"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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