A Glorious Accident: Understanding Our Place in the Cosmic Puzzle - understanding our place in the cosmic puzzle
Kayzer, Wim ed
W.H. Freeman & Company (1997)
In Collection
#1064
0*
Philosophy - Miscellanea, Science - Miscellanea, Scientists - Interviews
Hardcover 0716731444
eng
"Through no fault of our own, and by dint of no cosmic plan or conscious purpose, we have become, by the power of a glorious evolutionary accident called intelligence, the stewards of life's continuity on earth. We did not ask for this role, but we cannot abjure it. We may not be suited to such responsibility, but here we are."-Stephen Jay Gould, The Flamingo's Smile

At the close of the 20th century, what do we know about why we are here, on this planet, in this universe? To address this and other big questions, journalist Wim Kayzer invited a diverse cast of six of today's great scientific thinkers to discuss, debate, and argue their points. The result was the acclaimed public television series, A Glorious Accident, now edited and available in paperback.

Kayzer interviewed Oliver Sacks, Daniel C. Dennett, Stephen Jay Gould, Rupert Sheldrake, Freeman Dyson, and Stephen Toulmin individually before bringing them together for a roundtable discussion to consider a variety of broad questions, including:
* What is the nature of our consciousness?
* What concepts has our consciousness developed about our temporal existence?
* What will we derive most from our consciousness: knowledge or understanding?
* What were the questinos that fascinated you when you were growing up?
* What questions keep you spellbound today?

Stemming from actual conversations, A Glorious Accident is high-spirited and heady, as well as being an important chronicle of what we know and, more important, what we do not.

Product Details
LoC Classification Q173.K39 1997
Dewey 128
Cover Price $24.95
No. of Pages 306
Height x Width 9.5 x 6.3  inch
Personal Details
Read It Yes
Location B2
Links Amazon US