A Many-Colored Glass: Reflections on the Place of Life in the Universe (Page-Barbour Lectures for 2004)

"Freeman Dyson's latest book 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 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."--Jacket. Read more... Abstract: Emphasises the myriad ways in which the universe presents itself to us - and how, as observers and participants in its processes, we respond to it. This work seeks to explore the variety that gives life its beauty. Read more... Freeman Dyson's latest book 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. "Life, like a dome of many-colored glass," wrote Percy Bysshe Shelley, "stains the white radiance of eternity." The author seeks here to explore the variety that gives life its beauty. Taken from 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. The pieces in this collection touch on numerous disciplines, from astronomy and ecology to neurology and theology, speaking to the lay reader as well as to the scientist. As always, Dyson's view of human nature and behavior is balanced, and his predictions of a world to come serve primarily as a means for thinking about the world as it is today. Freeman Dyson's Latest Book 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 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.--jacket. The Future Of Biotechnology -- A Debate With Bill Joy -- Heretical Thoughts About Science And Society -- A Friendly Universe -- Can Life Go On Forever? -- Looking For Life -- The Varieties Of Human Experience. Freeman J. Dyson. Page-barbour Lectures For 2004. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [155]-158) And Index. Cover......Page __sk_0000.djvu Copyright......Page __sk_0004.djvu Contents......Page __sk_0007.djvu Preface......Page __sk_0009.djvu 1. The Future of Biotechnology......Page __sk_0015.djvu 2. A Debate with Bill Joy......Page __sk_0041.djvu 3. Heretical Thoughts about Science and Society......Page __sk_0057.djvu 4. A Friendly Universe......Page __sk_0075.djvu 5. Can Life Go On Forever?......Page __sk_0097.djvu 6. Looking for Life......Page __sk_0117.djvu 7. The Varieties of Human Experience......Page __sk_0145.djvu References......Page __sk_0169.djvu Index......Page __sk_0173.djvu