To the ancient Greeks the universe consisted of earth, air,
fire, and water. To Saint Augustine it was the Word of God. To many
modern scientists it is the dance of atoms and waves, and in years
to come it may be different again. What then is the real Universe?
History shows that in every age each society constructs its own
universe, believing it to be the real and final Universe. Yet each
universe is only a model or mask of the unknown Universe.
Originally published in 2003, this book brings together fundamental
scientific, philosophical, and religious issues in cosmology,
raising thought-provoking questions. In every age people have
pitied the universes of their ancestors, convinced that they have
at last discovered the ultimate truth. Does the modern model stand
at the threshold of discovering everything, or will it, like all
the rest, come to be pitied?
目錄:
Preface
Introducing the masks
Part I. Worlds in the Making
1. The magic Universe
2. The mythic Universe
3. The geometric Universe
4. The medieval Universe
5. The infinite Universe
6. The mechanistic Universe
Part II. The Heart Divine
7. Dance of the atoms and waves
8. Fabric of space and time
9. Nearer to the heart''s desire
10. The cosmic tide
11. Do dreams ever come true?
Part III. The Cloud of Unknowing
12. The witch universe
13. The spear of Archytas
14. All that is made
15. The cloud of unknowing
16. Learned ignorance