By dividing the creation of matter, energy, life, and mind into three big bangs, Holmes Rolston III brings into focus a history of the universe that respects both scientific discovery and the potential presence of an underlying intelligence. Matter-energy appears, initially in simpler forms but with a remarkable capacity for generating heavier elements. The size and expansion rate of the universe, the nature of electromagnetism, gravity, and nuclear forces enable the the explosion of life on Earth. DNA discovers, stores, and transfers information generating billions of species. Cognitive capacities escalate, and with neural sentience this results in human genius.
A massive singularity, the human mind gives birth to language and culture, increasing the brain's complexity and promoting the spread of ideas. Ideas generate ideals, which lead life to take on spirit. The nature of matter-energy, genes, and their genesis therefore encourages humans to wonder where they are, who they are, and what they should do.
- Contents
- Illustrations
- Preface
- Chapter 1. The Primordial Big Bang
- Explosive Startup and Ongoing Expansion
- A Singular Universe: Unfolding Order
- Logical Explosion: A Theory of Everything?
- A Biogenic/Anthropic Universe
- Cosmic Results: Predictable and Surprising
- Chapter 2. Life: Earth’s Big Bang
- Proactive Genetic Information and Order
- Explosions: Combinatorial and Evolutionary
- Biodiversity and Biocomplexity
- Expanding Neuro-sentience: Felt Experience
- Escalating Co-option: Serendipity
- Evolutionary Headings: Surprising or Inevitable?
- Chapter 3. Mind: The Human Big Bang
- Theory of Mind: The Human Singularity
- Hyperimmense Brain: Neural Explosion
- Ideational Uniqueness: Cultural Explosion
- Symbolic Explosion: Human Language
- Mind: Predictable or Surprising?
- Spirited Persons: The Ultimate Marvel
- Presence with Presence
- References
- Index
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