Title
On Being: A Scientist's Exploration of the Great Questions of Existence,Used
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Peter Atkins is the shining exception to the rule that scientists make poor writers. A Fellow at Oxford and a leading chemist, he has won admiration for his precise, lucid, and yet rigorous explanations of science. Now he turns his forensic mind to the greatestand most controversialquestions of human existence: birth, death, the origin of reality, and its end.In On Being, Atkins makes a provocative contribution to the great debate between religion and science. Atkins makes his position clear from the very first sentence: 'The scientific method can shed light on every and any concept, even those that have troubled humans since the earliest stirrings of consciousness,' he writes. He takes a materialist approach to the great questions of being that have inspired myth and religion, seeking to 'dispel their mystery without diminishing their grandeur.' In placing scientific knowledge in such cosmic perspective, he takes us on an often dizzying tour of existence. For example, he argues that 'the substrate of existence is nothing at all.' The total electrical charge of the universe, among other things, must be nothingzerohe writes, or else the universe would have blasted itself apart. 'Charge was not created at the creation: electrical Nothing separated into equal and opposite charges.' He explores breathtaking questionsasking the purpose of the universewith wit and learning, touching on Sanskrit scriptures and John Updike along the way.
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- Q: What is the main theme of 'On Being: A Scientist's Exploration of the Great Questions of Existence'? A: The main theme of the book is the exploration of fundamental questions about human existence, such as the nature of reality, birth, death, and the relationship between science and religion.
- Q: Who is the author of this book? A: The author is Peter Atkins, a renowned chemist and Fellow at Oxford, known for his ability to communicate complex scientific ideas clearly.
- Q: What can readers expect from the writing style of Peter Atkins? A: Readers can expect a precise, lucid, and rigorous writing style that makes complex scientific concepts accessible and engaging.
- Q: How does Atkins approach the debate between science and religion? A: Atkins takes a materialist approach, arguing that the scientific method can illuminate even the most profound questions that have traditionally been explored by religion and mythology.
- Q: What are some key topics discussed in the book? A: Key topics include the origin of reality, the purpose of the universe, and the concept of existence as described through scientific perspectives.
- Q: Is this book suitable for readers without a scientific background? A: Yes, the book is written in a way that is accessible to general readers, making it suitable for anyone interested in the philosophical implications of scientific inquiry.
- Q: What is the format and page count of the book? A: The book is a paperback edition with a total of 128 pages.
- Q: When was 'On Being' published? A: The book was published on November 8, 2012.
- Q: What kind of questions does Atkins address regarding existence? A: Atkins addresses questions such as 'What is the purpose of the universe?' and explores concepts like the nature of nothingness and the electrical charge of the universe.
- Q: Is there a specific edition of the book? A: Yes, the edition available is a reprint.