Cosmogenesis - The Growth of Order in the Universe

Eminent Harvard astrophysicist David Layzer presents a unified theory of order in the universe--from permanence, stability, and orderliness of sub-atomic particles to the evolution of the human mind. Cosmogenesis is the first extended account of a controversial theory that connects quantum mechanics with the second law of thermodynamics and presents novel resolutions of longstanding paradoxes in these theories.

List of contents

PART I: A THEORY OF ORDER: Science, philosophy, and truth; Order and randomness; The strong cosmological principle and time's arrow; The importance of being discrete; Seven steps to quantum physics; Alice in quantumland; The strong cosmological principle and quantum theory; PART II: ASPECTS OF TIMEBOUND ORDER: Cosmic evolution: the standard model; Gravitational clustering and structural order; Molecules, genes, and evolution; Evolution and the growth of order; Language, thought, and perception; What is consciousness?; Mind and body; Chance, necessity, and freedom; Notes.

About the author

David Layzer is the Donald H. Menzel Professor of Astrophysics at Harvard University. He is the author of Constructing the Universe.

Product details

• Authors: David Layzer, Layzer David
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 20.06.1991
• EAN: 9780195069082
• ISBN: 978-0-19-506908-2
• Dimensions: 156 mm x 234 mm x 22 mm
• Weight: 481 g
• Illustrations: 2 halftones, numerous line drawings
• Subjects: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Physics, astronomy > Astronomy; SCIENCE / Physics / General, SCIENCE / Life Sciences / Biology, SCIENCE / Philosophy & Social Aspects, Philosophy of Science, Physics, Biology, life sciences, Astronomy, space & time, Astronomy, space and time, SCIENCE / Space Science / Astronomy