NEW Third Culture Beyond Scientific Revolution Physics Genetics Computer Science

Description: The Third Culture: Beyond the Scientific Revolution by John Brockman. DESCRIPTION: Hardcover: 413 pages. Publisher: Simon & Schuster; (1995). The Third Culture is an eye-opening look at the intellectual culture of today - in which science, not literature or philosophy, takes center stage in the debate over human nature and the nature of the universe. Thirty-five years ago, C. P. Snow, in a now famous essay, wrote about the polarization of the "two cultures" - literary intellectuals on the one hand, and scientists on the other. Although he hoped for the emergence of a "third culture" that would bridge the gap, it is only recently - when books such as Daniel C. Dennett's Consciousness Explained, Stephen Jay Gould's Wonderful Life, Stephen Hawking's A Brief History of Time, Roger Penrose's The Emperor's New Mind, and Steven Pinker's The Language Instinct became bestsellers - that science has changed the intellectual landscape. Now as John Brockman shows, it is scientists not literary intellectuals who have the most to say on the important questions facing mankind. Featuring scientists speaking about their own work who also discuss the work of their peers, “The Third Culture” includes Stephen Jay Gould and Richard Dawkins on the implications of evolution; Marvin Minsky, Daniel C. Dennet, Steven Pinker, and Roger Penrose on how the mind works; Murray Gell-Mann and Stuart Kauffman on the new sciences of complexity; and other leading scientists on genetics, computer science, neurophysiology, psychology, and physics. “The Third Culture” is a lively and challenging guide to the latest scientific theories and research as well as a spirited polemic about the role of science that is certain to spark intellectual debate. CONDITION: New and unread. Slight edge wear and scuffing to dust jacket consistent with open-shelf book store stock. PLEASE SEE IMAGES BELOW FOR JACKET DESCRIPTION(S) AND FOR PAGES OF PICTURES FROM INSIDE OF BOOK. PLEASE SEE PUBLISHER, PROFESSIONAL, AND READER REVIEWS BELOW. PUBLISHER REVIEW: REVIEW: In this treatise on the central role of science, John Brockman contends that science is becoming the predominant culture and scientists are taking the place of traditional intellectuals in answering the important questions facing humankind. Structured in interview format, The Third Culture consists of 23 noted scientists discussing their theories, the nature of scientific inquiry, and their common desire to be recognized as today's intellectual leaders. PROFESSIONAL REVIEWS: REVIEW: This set of conversational essays, distilled from interviews with 23 leading scientists, presents an engaging, unparalleled road map to the frontiers of research and speculation in evolutionary biology, genetics, artificial intelligence, psychology and physics. Biologist Stephen Jay Gould argues provocatively that evolution harbors no inevitable drive toward increasing complexity or progress. Astrophysicist Martin Rees ponders the possibility of multiple universes as well as ways to locate “dark matter”, the 90% of the universe that exerts gravitational force yet is invisible and unaccounted for. Psychologist Steven Pinker defines language as an instinctual, specialized skill that develops in the child spontaneously. Philosopher Daniel Dennett views consciousness as a “virtual machine”, an abstract thinking center, while, at the opposite pole, biologist Francisco Varela melds Buddhist philosophy and neuroscience in his theory of the mind as an “emergent self” shaped by interactions with its environment. Contributors include biologists Richard Dawkins and Lynn Margulis, physicists Roger Penrose and Murray Gell-Mann, cosmologists Paul Davies and Alan Guth. New York literary agent Brockman is editor of About Bateson and Doing Science. REVIEW: Assembling two dozen scientists who have proven their mettle as expositors for the general reader, literary agent Brockman asked them about the wider implications of their specialties. Their best-selling successes, such as Stephen Jay Gould's on evolution or Paul Davies' on physics, have challenged the work of humanists for primacy as the model of cultured writing; the model must include at least a smattering of scientific knowledge. Although Brockman and some of his contributors perhaps overdraw the fact that humanists take pride in being scientifically ignorant, this book is bound to interest those humanists on the cutting edges of evolution, artificial intelligence, cosmology, and "plectics," a word Nobelist Murray Gell-Mann coined for the combined study of simplicity and complexity. As each essay is followed by fellow contributors' comments, this tome assumes a friendly, conversational aspect, just as suitable for the coffeehouse as for the lab bench. With general science writing in something of a golden age, Brockman's group assists laggards who have missed reading the able and controversial authors of the past decade. REVIEW: In the style of a scientific conference, this book gathers contributions by leading intellectuals in developing fields and solicits reactions to their contributions from their colleagues. The title refers to an academic dichotomy, first identified almost 40 years ago, between the culture of humanists and that of scientists, and it further suggests that an integrating third culture is emerging through the popular scientific writings of scholars like those represented in this collection. Five parts, each organized around a current theme in science such as "The Evolutionary Idea" and "Questions of Origins," feature first-person essays by such well-known writers as Stephen Jay Gould and Murray Gell-Mann. Following each essay, there is a brief section in which other contributors respond to the ideas just presented. While the concept of a third culture is compelling and could well provide the ideological foundation of an important new movement in science, this collection is not much more than a sampler. The essays are informative but contain little new material; the follow-up commentary is sometimes gratuitous and self-congratulatory. Still, fans of science writing will like this book because of the "star" appeal of its contributors. Brockman, a well-known literary agent who represents many scientists, also edited “How Things Are: A Science Tool-Kit for the Mind”. READER REVIEWS: REVIEW: Is there a comprehensible and informative science book? Yes, and it's called 'The Third Culture'. I read 'The Third Culture' expecting a dry and uninteresting outline of science. I was so happy to be proved wrong! I found that 'The Third Culture' was a logical and plausible explanation of integral facets of existence and that it explored science in such a way that it lived. Instead of just regurgitating the tried and true aspects of science which are so often printed in school books (or untried and untrue aspects of religion which is so often the resort of people attempting to explain the supposedly unexplainable) it does not shrink from showing that there is conflict in the scientific community and that it is by no means infallible but at least it's trying to resolve some old questions. Not least, it is readable and informative and doesn't resort incomprehensible jargon which was important to me. I'm very glad I read 'The Third Culture' and I think I'm better informed for doing that. REVIEW: Knowledge is power. But as Brockman successfully argues, the significance of the new knowledge born by scientific revolution will never be fully realized without communication. Enter the Third Culture. These individuals have successfully bridged the gap between ignorance and enlightenment by revealing the magic and power of science to the world. In his book, Brockman has brought together the ideas of those who, in his opinion, are best representative of the Third Culture. Lynn Margulis' ideas on symbiosis and evolutionary change give a new twist to Darwinism; the idea of exaptation as explained by Stephen Jay Gould reveals the inherent randomness of natural selection; Alan Guth's comments on the Big Bang and the fate of the universe will force anyone to become a kid again and wonder. The reader will be exposed to a vast range of scientific thought in a way which is easily understood and enjoyable. In addition to getting exposed to ideas which are dominating science today, the reader also gets a flavor for the lives of those who are truly passionate and dedicated to their work. Scholar or layman, the reader will enjoy this anthology of thought and walk away knowing that science is really as amazing as it's cracked up to be. REVIEW: In this fine volume, editor and literary agent John Brockman has managed to assemble a majority of the key scientists who are developing the 'Third Culture' - a new scientific paradigm that provides public feedback loops. The interviews are first-rate, particularly those with Richard Dawkins, Daniel C. Dennett, Paul Davies, Murray Gell-Mann, Roger Penrose, Lynn Margulis, and Stuart Kauffman. Unlike some of Brockman's other interview collections, Brockman is not really intrusive, enabling the scientists to speak for themselves, directly to the interested reader. Just as intriguing are the commentaries within each interview by other scientists featured within the volume, giving an insight into the lively debate that features prominently within the contemporary scientific community. Despite featuring many of the major names and minds, they don't always agree, and the interplay is exhilarating. Brockman's opening chapter on the 'Third Culture' concept steps beyond C.P. Snow's oft-quoted warnings to embrace sovereignty, freedom, and conscience. 'The Third Culture' is an excellent introductory volume to give to a non-scientist that conveys the power and long-term social impact of evolutionary flows, systemic design, spiral thinking, and holistic structures. The interviews accurately convey how the new paradigms unleashed by Memetics, Complexity, Chaos Theory, Metaphysics, Neurobiology, Cosmology, Biological Systems, Darwinian Evolution, Artificial Intelligence etc., will affect the layperson. Knowledge of this will be crucial for survival in the postmodern environment: why live in an absolutist moralistic Newtonian universe when the 'Third Culture' is far more liberating and inviting? The book is invaluable, and for the beginner, makes science accessible. And or those more knowledgeable, why pour over stacks of technical journals when Brockman has collected summary essays from leaders in their fields? I always ship books Media Mail in a padded mailer. This book is shipped FOR FREE via USPS INSURED media mail (“book rate”). All domestic shipments and most international shipments will include free USPS Delivery Confirmation (you might be able to update the status of your shipment on-line at the USPS Web Site and free insurance coverage). A small percentage of international shipments may require an additional fee for tracking and/or delivery confirmation. If you are concerned about a little wear and tear to the book in transit, I would suggest a boxed shipment - it is an extra $1.00. Whether via padded mailer or box, we will give discounts for multiple purchases. International orders are welcome, but shipping costs are substantially higher. 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