The New Universe and the Human Future: How a Shared Cosmology Could Transform the World (The Terry Lectures Series) - Hardcover

Abrams, Nancy Ellen; Primack, Joel R.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0300165080 ISBN 13: 9780300165081

Publisher: Yale University Press, 2011

Synopsis

After a four-century rupture between science and the questions of value and meaning, this groundbreaking book presents an explosive and potentially life-altering idea: if the world could agree on a shared creation story based on modern cosmology and biology—a story that has just become available—it would redefine our relationship with Planet Earth and benefit all of humanity, now and into the distant future.

Written in eloquent, accessible prose and illustrated in magnificent color throughout, including images from innovative simulations of the evolving universe, this book brings the new scientific picture of the universe to life. It interprets what our human place in the cosmos may mean for us and our descendants. It offers unique insights into the potential use of this newfound knowledge to find solutions to seemingly intractable global problems such as climate change and unsustainable growth. And it explains why we need to "think cosmically, act globally" if we're going to have a long-term, prosperous future on Earth.

About this title

About the Author:

Nancy Ellen Abrams is an attorney, philosopher of science, and lecturer. Joel R. Primack is Distinguished Professor of Physics and Astronomy. Both are at the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Review:

"This book is in every sense of the word, a prophetic book. Its message ranks right up there with those of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Joel. Like the prophets, it is at times poetic, demanding, grounded, soaring, empowering, and always awe-inspiring."— Matthew Fox, Tikkun (Matthew Fox Tikkun 2011-03-28)

“The authors tell the cosmology story well and illustrate it with stunning images, in the book and online at www.new-universe.org.” —Ron Cowan, Science News (Ron Cowan Science News)

"The ideas and images are fascinating and certainly contribute to a sense of the profound stakes involved in what we’re doing to the planet and ourselves." — William Kowinski, North Coast Journal (William Kowinski North Coast Journal 2011-08-11)

"Told in beautiful prose, appealing to brain and heart." — Johan Galtung, Foreign Policy Journal (Johan Galtung Foreign Policy Journal 2011-02-22)

“So what kind of meaning do Primack and Abrams find in the cosmos? Their book answers this question through a totally engaging and very readable exploration of 'the new universe' explained by quantum physics and contemporary astrophysics. . . . The View from the Center of the Universe goes a long way in that direction, and it should be read by anyone, not just scientists, who worry about the human condition.”—Deepak Chopra, The Huffington Post (Deepak Chopra The Huffington Post)

Winner of the 2012 Spirit of Rustum Roy Award, as awarded by The Chopra Foundation. Abrams & Primack received the award for their contribution to science in expanding our understanding of what it is to be human. (Spirit of Rustum Roy Award Chopra Foundation 2012-03-03)

About this edition

• Publisher: Yale University Press
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 0300165080
• ISBN 13: 9780300165081
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 256