
What is Life?
With Mind and Matter and Autobiographical Sketches
Erwin Schroedinger(Author)
Cambridge University Press
Published on 31. January 1992
Book
Paperback/Softback
194 pages
978-0-521-42708-1 (ISBN)
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Description
Nobel laureate Erwin Schroedinger's What is Life? is one of the great science classics of the twentieth century. A distinguished physicist's exploration of the question which lies at the heart of biology, it was written for the layman, but proved one of the spurs to the birth of molecular biology and the subsequent discovery of the structure of DNA. The philosopher Karl Popper hailed it as a 'beautiful and important book' by 'a great man to whom I owe a personal debt for many exciting discussions'. It appears here together with Mind and Matter, his essay investigating a relationship which has eluded and puzzled philosophers since the earliest times. Schrodinger asks what place consciousness occupies in the evolution of life, and what part the state of development of the human mind plays in moral questions. Brought together with these two classics are Schroedinger's autobiographical sketches, published and translated here for the first time. They offer a fascinating fragmentary account of his life as a background to his scientific writings, making this volume a valuable additon to the shelves of scientist and layman alike.
Reviews / Votes
'This book is a gem with many facets ... one can read it in a few hours; one will not forget it in a lifetime.' Scientific American 'Erwin Schroedinger, iconoclastic physicist, stood at the pivotal point of history when physics was the midwife of the new science of molecular biology. In these little books he set down, clearly and concisely, most of the great conceptual issues that confront the scientist who would attempt to unravel the mysteries of life. This combined volume should be compulsory reading for all students who are seriously concerned with truly deep issues of science.' Paul Davies '... this remains a classic, written with great insight and modesty ...' Human Nature ReviewMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
15 Line drawings, unspecified
Dimensions
Height: 216 mm
Width: 137 mm
Thickness: 16 mm
Weight
240 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-521-42708-1 (9780521427081)
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Book
03/2012
Cambridge University Press
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E-Book
06/2013
1st Edition
Cambridge University Press
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Previous edition
E. Schrodinger
What is Life? Mind and Matter
Book
12/1967
Cambridge University Press
€8.07
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Persons
Content
Preface; 1. The classical physicist's approach to the subject; 2. The hereditary mechanism; 3. Mutations; 4. The quantum-mechanical evidence; 5. Delbruck's model discussed and tested; 6. Order, disorder and entropy; 7. Is life based on the laws of physics? Epilogue: on determinism and free will Mind and Matter; 1. The physical basis of consciousness; 2. The future of understanding; 3. The principle of objectivation; 4. The arithmetical paradox: the oneness of mind; 5. Science and religion; 6. The mystery of the sensual qualities; Autobiographical sketches (translated from the German by Schrodinger's granddaughter Verena).