Embryos, Galaxies, and Sentient Beings
Embryos, Galaxies, and Sentient Beings
ISBN: 9781556434198
出版社: Random House Inc
出版年: 2003-8
页数: 544
定价: 180.00元
装帧: Pap
内容简介
Why is the universe conscious? What kindles mind inside matter? Why do fundamentalist sciences and religions never ask these questions? This sequel to Embryogenesis deals with the theoretical issues brought up by Embryogenesis, including: the relationship between thermodynamics/entropy and the emergence of life; a speculative set of embryogenic principles for all creatures on all planets in the cosmos; an explanation and critique of Intelligent Design and a proposal for a more dynamic psychospiritual theory of creature development; a series of alternatives to genetic determinism; a discussion of the relationship between consciousness and matter; an interjection of 9/11 (which occurred during the writing of this book); and many other topics.
Chapters include:
What is Life?: Evolution, Thermodynamics, and Complexity;
Is There a Plan?: Creationism, Cultural Relativism, and Paraphysics;
Biogenesis and Cosmogenesis: Cells, Genes, and Planets;
The Principles of Biological Design: Physical Forces in Nature;
The Dynamics of the Biosphere: Deep Time and Space;
The Limits of Genetic Determinism: Dimensionless Epigenetic Landscapes;
Topokinesis: Physical Forces in Development;
Tissue Motifs and Body Plans: Coordinating Form;
The Primordial Field: Metabiology and The Molecular Apparatus;
Meaning and Destiny: The Relation of Consciousness to Matter