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More copies of this ISBN:This title in other formats:Mind of God: The Scientific Basis for a Rational Worldby Paul Davies
Synopses & ReviewsPublisher Comments:Throughout history, humans have dreamed of knowing the reason for the existence of the universe. In The Mind of God, physicist Paul Davies explores whether modern science can provide the key that will unlock this last secret. In his quest for an ultimate explanation, Davies reexamines the great questions that have preoccupied humankind for millennia, and in the process explores, among other topics, the origin and evolution of the cosmos, the nature of life and consciousness, and the claim that our universe is a kind of gigantic computer. Charting the ways in which the theories of such scientists as Newton, Einstein, and more recently Stephen Hawking and Richard Feynman have altered our conception of the physical universe. Davies puts these scientists' discoveries into context with the writings of philosophers such as Plato. Descartes, Hume, and Kant. His startling conclusion is that the universe is "no minor byproduct of mindless, purposeless forces. We are truly meant to be here." By the means of science, we can truly see into the mind of God. Review:"Re-examine[s] the great questions of existence...and in the process it also provides an entertaining and provocative tour of recent developments in theoretical physics." — Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times Review:"Intellectually cordial and wonderfully lucid.... Meanders through dozens of current concepts and findings...and then observes how they illuminate the ancient quandaries encountered by Plato and Pythagoras, Spinoza and Kant.... [A] mind-bending experience." — The Washington Post Review:"Provide[s] cogent explications of some of the most interesting ideas to have arisen from contemporary physics, mathematics and philosophy...full of ideas...mighty nourishing."-- Timothy Ferris, San Francisco Chronicle Review:"Stimulating and enlightening...Shows how scientists, like the ancient philosophers before them, continue to struggle with reconciling the eternal and the ephemeral." — The New York Times Book Review About the AuthorPaul Davies is Professor of Mathematical Physics at the University of Adelaide in Australia. His earlier books include God and the New Physics, The Cosmic Blueprint, Superforce, and Other Worlds. Table of ContentsContents Preface CHAPTER 1 REASON AND BELIEF The Scientific Miracle Human Reason and Common Sense Thoughts About Thought A Rational World Metaphysics: Who Needs It? Time and Eternity: The Fundamental Paradox of Existence CHAPTER 2 CAN THE UNIVERSE CREATE ITSELF? Was There a Creation Event? Creation from Nothing The Beginning of Time Cyclic World Revisited Continuous Creation Did God Cause the Big Bang? Creation without Creation Mother and Child Universes CHAPTER 3 WHAT ARE THE LAWS OF NATURE? The Origin of Law The Cosmic Code The Status of the Laws Today What Does It Mean for Something to "Exist"? In the Beginning CHAPTER 4 MATHEMATICS AND REALITY Magic Numbers Mechanizing Mathematics The Uncomputable Why Does Arithmetic Work? Russian Dolls and Artificial Life CHAPTER 5 REAL WORLDS AND VIRTUAL WORLDS Simulating Reality Is the Universe a Computer? The Unattainable The Unknowable The Cosmic Program CHAPTER 6 THE MATHEMATICAL SECRET Is Mathematics Already "Out There"? The Cosmic Computer Why Us? Why Are the Laws of Nature Mathematical?. How Can We Know Something without Knowing Everything? CHAPTER 7 WHY IS THE WORLD THE WAY IT IS? An Intelligible Universe A Unique Theory of Everything? Contingent Order The Best of All Possible Worlds? Beauty as a Guide to Truth Is God Necessary? A Dipolar God and Wheeler's Cloud Does God Have to Exist? The Options A God Who Plays Dice CHAPTER 8 DESIGNER UNIVERSE The Unity of the Universe Life Is So Difficult Has the Universe Been Designed by an Intelligent Creator? The Ingenuity of Nature A Place for Everything and Everything in Its Place Is There Need for a Designer? Multiple Realities Cosmological Darwinism CHAPTER 9 THE MYSTERY AT THE END OF THE UNIVERSE Turtle Power Mystical Knowledge The Infinite What Is Man? Notes Select Bibliography Index What Our Readers Are SayingAdd a comment for a chance to win!
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