Matter And Spirit In The Universe: Scientific And Religious Preludes To Modern Cosmology Scientific and Religious Preludes to Modern Cosmology

Cosmology is an unusual science with an unusual history. This book examines the formative years of modern cosmology from the perspective of its interaction with religious thought. As the first study of its kind, it reveals how closely associated the development of cosmology has been with considerations of a philosophical and religious nature. From nineteenth-century thermodynamics to the pioneering cosmological works of Georges Lemaître and Arthur E Milne, religion has shaped parts of modern cosmological theory. By taking the religious component seriously, a new and richer history of cosmology emerges. Contents 12 Preface 8 Introduction: Cosmo-theology before Einstein 1 15 SCENE I: PARIS 1277 16 SCENE II:THE NETHERLANDS 1637 20 SCENE III: CAMBRIDGE 1692 21 SCENE IV: KONIGSBERG 1755 25 A Thermodynamic Universe 2 31 ASPECTS OF 19TH CENTURY COSMOLOGY 31 SEEN AND UNSEEN UNIVERSES 36 EVOLUTION AND CREATION 43 THE HEAT DEATH 55 ENTROPY AND CREATION 63 Expanding Horizons 3 85 FROM REDSHIFTS TO AN EXPANDING UNIVERSE1 85 EINSTEIN’S COSMIC RELIGIOSITY 89 A REGENERATING UNIVERSE? 97 JEANS’ PLATONISM 108 EDDINGTON’S WORLDS 116 THE THEOLOGIANS: BARNES AND INGE 126 The Primeval-atom Universe 4 137 FROM FRIEDMANN TO LEMAITRE 137 A QUANTUM ORIGIN OF THE WORLD 147 TWO ROADS TO THE TRUTH 154 MATTERS OF TASTE 165 Cosmo-physics 5 175 IDEALISM AND NUMEROLOGY 175 LARGE NUMBERS 184 JORDAN’S COSMOLOGY 188 HERBERT DINGLE AND MODERN ARISTOTELIANISM 198 TWO CATHOLIC COSMOLOGISTS 202 Cosmology between Theism and Atheism 6 213 FROM ASTROPHYSICS TO COSMOLOGY 213 A KINEMATIC UNIVERSE 217 COSMOS AND GOD 225 RESPONSES 232 THE STEADY-STATE MODEL 242 ANY PLACE FOR GOD? 247 CONCEPTS OF CREATION 255 Epilogue: From Standard Model to Quantum Cosmology 7 261 DEVELOPMENTS AFTER 1965 261 MODERN COSMO-THEOLOGY 264 QUANTUM COSMOLOGIES 269 Bibliography 275 Index 303 This Book Examines The Formative Years Of Modern Cosmology From The Perspective Of Its Interaction With Religious Thought. As The First Study Of Its Kind, It Reveals How Closely Associated The Development Of Cosmology Has Been With Considerations Of A Philosophical And Religious Nature. From Nineteenth-century Thermodynamics To The Pioneering Cosmological Works Of Georges Lemaitre And Arthur E. Milne, Religion Has Shaped Parts Of Modern Cosmological Theory. By Taking The Religious Component Seriously, A New And Richer History Of Cosmology Emerges.--book Jacket. Preface -- 1. Introduction : Cosmo-theology Before Einstein -- 2. A Thermodynamic Universe -- 3. Expanding Horizons -- 4. The Primeval-atom Universe -- 5. Cosmo-physics -- 6. Cosmology Between Theism And Atheism -- 7. Epilogue : From Standard Model To Quantum Cosmology. Helge Kragh. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [262]-289) And Index.

Cosmology is an unusual science with an unusual history. This book examines the formative years of modern cosmology from the perspective of its interaction with religious thought. As the first study of its kind, it reveals how closely associated the development of cosmology has been with considerations of a philosophical and religious nature. From nineteenth-century thermodynamics to the pioneering cosmological works of Georges Lemaître and Arthur E Milne, religion has shaped parts of modern cosmological theory. By taking the religious component seriously, a new and richer history of cosmology emerges.

It is sometimes said that there is nothing new under the sun, which is surely an exaggeration.