Origins: The Darwin College Lectures

by A. C. Fabian

Overview

In this volume, a distinguished team of international authorities reports on the latest research on the origins of the most fundamental features of our world. Martin Rees begins the book with a bang, the Big Bang that was the probable start of our universe. The contributors then focus on the origins of the solar system, material complexity and the human species. The volume ends with essays by John Maynard Smith on social behavior, Ernest Gellner on society and John Lyons on language. The first in The Darwin College Lectures, the book is derived from a highly successful series of lively public lectures which have been revised and illustrated for publication under the editorship of Professor A.C. Fabian of the Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521018197
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	08/22/2005
Series:	Darwin College Lectures , #1
Edition description:	Revised ed.
Pages:	184
Product dimensions:	6.69(w) x 9.61(h) x 0.47(d)

Table of Contents

Preface D. H. Mellor; Introduction D. H. Mellor; 1. Origin of the universe Martin J. Rees; 2. Origin of the solar system David W. Hughes; 3. Origins of complexity Ilya Prigogine; 4. Human origins and evolution David Pilbeam; 5. Origin of social behaviour John Maynard Smith; 6. Origins of society Ernest Gellner; 7. Origins of language John Lyons; Index.

Editorial Reviews

"All in all there is plenty of food for thought in seven essas, which demonstrate that origins are usually difficult reconstruct for events that happened a long time ago." Bioscience

From the Publisher

Seven lectures delivered to the public during the Lent Term of 1986 (and revised and illustrated for publication) comprise the first volume of this new series. They address the origins of the universe, the solar system, complexity, human life, social behavior, society, and language. Name index only. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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