Place of Science in a World of Values and Facts

Name: Place of Science in a World of Values and Facts
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ISBN: 9780306465802

Path in Psychology

By: Loucas G. Christophorou

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Paperback Published: 31st May 2001
ISBN: 9780306465802
Number Of Pages: 300

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This is an engrossing book. It is also an unusual book: it is written by a scientist who is quite willing to talk about the softer side of life, about things such as love and respect and responsibility, and to try and position them in the context of his science. He is also willing to talk about religion, the manner in which it relates to science and science to it, and to attempt reconciliation of both. He sets himself a tough task, to tread the narrow path between the maudlin and the severely sober. In this, he is eminently successful. He is successful not because he aims at any grand synthesis, but because he has chosen the more modest path of simply laying out the cards on the table. This work is also unusual for another reason. The majority of books that attempt to explain science to a lay public, that try to describe its workings, its raison d'etre, its hidden contents, its societal impact, its implications for our future, etc. , are written by theorists. This is hardly surprising. The theoretician, after all, is expected to think deeply, to be the great unifier, to be concernedwith meaning. Very few books about science are written by scientists, ones who spend their time in a working experimental laboratory. This is such a book. And because it is, it is also a very different book.

Industry Reviews

`This book is an engrossing view of science, society, and their mutual interactions as seen through the eyes of a highly respected scientist. It is a must book for all who wish to read a profound and eloquent description of the modalities and limitations of scientific inquiry. Particularly enlightening are his discussions of ethics, morality, and religion as they are dealt with by scientists as practitioners and as human beings. Prof. Christophorou deserves a vote of gratitude for taking the time to put down his thoughts on his beloved science, and his hopes and expectations for humanity.'
Martin Pope, Professor Emeritus, New York University
`"Place of Science in a World of Values and Facts" by Prof. Christophorou represents a tour-de-force of astonishing breadth on the subject, for both scientist and general reader alike. Only a person steeped in the scientific enterprise in all its dimensions, discovering new knowledge, performing experiments, teaching students, writing, and managing science could have such a thorough grasp of the subject matter and present it so eloquently and vividly. To then place all of this knowledge within the context of human history and cultural evolution is an achievement of the first order. The author's disciplined, well-structured thinking, consummate scholarship, extensive notes and citations, plus his comprehensive connections to other work leave the reader satisfied that this is an authoritative book that brings into focus most current thinking on this subject. His discussion of the development of physics is particularly lucid, and the few equations are used to illustrate the approach, not obfuscate the concepts. His injection of mythological analogies and early historical developments gives the book a dimension that makes a natural connection to humanity's early dilemmas and modern human's inability to deal with these. The author's idealism and faith in humanity's future is most evident in the discussion of the intersection of science and religion, and the necessity for both in addressing the conundrums posed by our modern existence. In many ways, this is not only a book about science but also an inspirational and hopeful book as well. I heartily recommend it!'
Dr. Stamatios M. "Tom" Krimigis, Head, Space Dept., Applied Physics Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University

The World of Values and Facts	p. 1
Us and the Cosmos	p. 1
A Few Thoughts on Human History	p. 6
The Micro (Multi) Cultures of the World	p. 9
The Timeless	p. 11
Modern People and the State of Their Societies	p. 17
Change and the Rate of Change that Changed the World	p. 17
A Violent World Without Peace	p. 23
Man's Natural Environment	p. 29
Earth's Resources	p. 35
The Power of the Greek Myth	p. 47
The Way Science Works and Evolves	p. 55
The Science of Greek Antiquity	p. 57
From Greek Astronomy to the Classical Physics of the Macrocosmos	p. 64
The Scientific and the Industrial Revolutions	p. 67
The Foundations of Modern Science	p. 69
A New Frame	p. 81
The Modern Era	p. 92
The Changing Character of Science	p. 110
The Invaluable Value of Science's Hereditary Past	p. 116
Science: The Penetrator of the Physical Universe	p. 127
The Minuscule and the Gigantic Microscopes of Modern Science	p. 127
The Dimensions of Modern Science's Diversity	p. 133
The Richness of Nature: Light	p. 144
The Laws of Nature	p. 150
Fundamental Generalizations and Questions	p. 152
Distinct Characteristics and Principles of Science	p. 155
Distinct Characteristics of Science	p. 156
General Principles of Science	p. 164
The Scientific Method	p. 172
The Scientist and the Science Worker	p. 175
The Scientist	p. 176
The Science Worker	p. 185
Their New Environs and Changing Functions	p. 186
From Basic Research to Application (Science and Technology)	p. 201
Scientific Research and Technology	p. 202
The Technological Value of Basic Research	p. 213
A Final Thought	p. 219
The Cultural and Educational Value of Science	p. 221
The Cultural Value of Science	p. 221
The Educational Value of Science	p. 230
The University	p. 233
Where Science Meets Religion	p. 241
The Complementarity of Science and Religion	p. 241
The Contact of Science and Religion	p. 246
Together for a Humanized Earth	p. 249
Limits of and to Science	p. 253
Limits of Science	p. 253
Limits to Science	p. 260
Trans-Science	p. 270
The Future of and in Science	p. 275
Science Ahead	p. 276
Science, Society, and the Scientist: The New Fair	p. 278
Appendices	p. 281
Index	p. 295
Table of Contents provided by Syndetics. All Rights Reserved.

ISBN: 9780306465802
ISBN-10: 0306465809
Series: Path in Psychology
Audience: General
Format: Paperback
Language: English
Number Of Pages: 300
Published: 31st May 2001
Publisher: SPRINGER VERLAG GMBH
Country of Publication: US
Dimensions (cm): 21.34 x 16.97 x 2.34
Weight (kg): 0.48