Modern Cosmology & PhilosophyJohn Leslie ..".engaging...a fascinating mix of opinion and scientific/philosophic discussion...quite readable and enjoyable...a book that should be in one's library."-Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith Did the universe originate from a "big bang" as argued by leading astrophysicists and others? Or does some other theory more accurately describe its beginnings? Are there other forms of life in our universe? What about other universes? Was our universe specially formed to support life? Does our universe have a purpose? What are the conditions under which life begins, evolves, and how does it become extinct? These questions propel Modern Cosmology & Philosophy as the leading text in this hotly debated area where science and philosophy meet. Edited with an introduction by noted scholar John Leslie, this volume offers superb selections on modern cosmology, relativistic theories of the universe, the Big Bang, the problem of God and creation, cosmology and verifiability, coincidences, origins and evolution, multiple universe theories, infinity, chaos, life forms, the end of time, and the limits of our knowledge. This volume includes work by H. Bondi, William Lane Craig, Paul Davies, R. H. Dicke, G. F. R. Ellis, Stephen Jay Gould, Adolf Grunbaum, Heinz R. Pagels, Sir Martin Rees, Quentin Smith, Richard Swinburne, and others. |
Contents
B J CARR On the Origin Evolution and the Purpose | 11 |
Is Philosophy Relevant to Cosmology? | 35 |
GEORGE GAMOW | 57 |
Copyright | |
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Common terms and phrases
anthropic principle argument assumption astronomers atoms Big Bang model billion black holes Bondi boundary conditions Carter causal cause claim collapse conservation constant Copernican Principle cosmic cosmological argument Cosmological Principle cosmologists cosmology cosmos creation density distance divine domain Earth Einstein electron energy epoch equations evidence evolution evolve example existence expanding universe expansion explain fact false vacuum fine-tuning finite fluctuation force strengths fundamental galaxies gravitational Hawking Hawking's helium hydrogen idea infinite inflation inflationary intelligent interpretation isotropic laws of physics life-permitting light Mach's Principle mass mathematical matter multiple universes Narlikar nature neutron neutron stars nuclear observations occur origin particles philosophical physicists planets possible postulate predictions present problem properties protons quantum theory quasars question radiation reason recollapse red shift region relativistic relativity scalar field scientific scientists singularity space space-time spatial stars steady-state theory structure suggest supposed temperature temporal tion Tipler universe's vacuum verse