The Mind of God: The Scientific Basis for a Rational World - Softcover

Davies

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0671797182 ISBN 13: 9780671797188

Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK, 1993

Synopsis

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 mellinia, 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.

About this title

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

"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

"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

"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 Author:

PAUL DAVIES is Director of the Beyond Center at Arizona State University and the bestselling author of more than twenty books. He won the 1995 Templeton Prize for his work on the deeper meaning of science. His books include About Time, The Fifth Miracle, and The Mind of God.

About this edition

• Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK
• Publication date: 1993
• ISBN 10: 0671797182
• ISBN 13: 9780671797188
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 254