Paradigms Lost: Images of Man in the Mirror of Science - Hardcover

CASTI, JOHN L

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0356187977 ISBN 13: 9780356187976

Publisher: SCRIBNERS, 1990

Synopsis

Within the forum of a mock trial, an eminent mathematician argues for the defense and prosecution, then renders the verdict on the origin of life, sociobiology, language acquisition, artificial intelligence, extraterrestrial life, and quantum reality

About this title

Synopsis

In his quest to discover and define what, if anything, makes mankind unique, Costi addresses the great scientific debates of today, from how we acquire language and the fundamental nature of our thinking processes to the possible existence of life elsewhere in the universe. Each chapter is structured in the form of a trial - the conventional scientific wisdom on each topic is presented by the prosecution and the alternative views on the question are then presented by the defense. After the summary arguments, Casti steps in to act as a juror offering an explanation of how and why he voted as he did and requesting that the reader too acts as a juror.

About the Author

John L. Casti is a member of the faculty of the Santa Fe Institute and a professor at the Technical University of Vienna. He divides his time between Santa Fe, New Mexico and Vienna.

Edition details

• Publisher: SCRIBNERS
• Publication date: 1990
• ISBN 10: 0356187977
• ISBN 13: 9780356187976
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1