A Many-colored Glass
Reflections on the Place of Life in the Universe
Will be published approx. on 3. February 2010
Book
Paperback/Softback
176 pages
978-0-8139-2973-6 (ISBN)
Description
A Many-Colored Glass does not attempt to bring together all of the celebrated physicist's thoughts on science and technology into a unified theory. The emphasis is, instead, on the myriad ways in which the universe presents itself to us - and how, as observers and participants in its processes, we respond to it. Taken from Freeman Dyson's recent public lectures - delivered to audiences with no specialized knowledge in hard sciences - the book begins with a consideration of the practical and political questions surrounding biotechnology. As he seeks how best to explain the place of life in the universe, Dyson then moves from the ethical to the purely scientific. The book concludes with an attempt to understand the implications of biology for philosophy and religion.
Reviews / Votes
"Dyson's compilation of lectures makes for engrossing and provocative reading for both scientists and nonscientists alike." - Nature Biotechnology "The science is beautifully presented, with clarity and obvious passion. Dyson's remarkable mind creates all sorts of unexpected connections. Many readers will greatly rejoice in this book's wisdom." - Marcelo Gleiser, Dartmouth College, author of The Prophet and the Astronomer: Apocalyptic Science and the End of the World "In a consistently graceful and poetic style, and always with a deeply original voice, Dyson adroitly weaves together a variety of subjects on the general theme of life in the Universe. An inspiring and mind-expanding view of biotechnology in the future, with a thoughtful discussion of the human condition." - Trinh Xuan Thuan, University of Virginia, coauthor of The Quantum and the Lotus: A Journey to the Frontiers Where Science and Buddhism Meet "Though he did the majority of his work in the 20th century, theoretical physicist and self-proclaimed scientific heretic Freeman Dyson may well be remembered as one of the greatest thinkers of the 21st. His talks and writings are reliably filled with far-seeing speculations on the nature of things to come, and this latest book - a collection of essays on biotechnology, the cosmic destiny of life, and the intersection of biology and religion - is no exception." - SEED Magazine"More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Charlottesville
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Dimensions
Height: 207 mm
Width: 130 mm
Thickness: 18 mm
Weight
225 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-8139-2973-6 (9780813929736)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
02/2010
1st Edition
Naval Institute Press
from
€38.39
Available for download
Person
Freeman J. Dyson, Professor Emeritus of Physics from the Institute of Advanced Study at Princeton University, is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and fellow of the Royal Society of London. His books include Infinite in All Directions, Origins of Life, and The Sun, the Genome, and the Internet.