Enigmas

Arising from the 2020 Darwin College Lectures, this volume presents essays from prominent public intellectuals on the theme of Enigmas.

Emily Joan Ward (Edited by), Robin Reuvers (Edited by)

9781009232548, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 18 August 2022

254 pages
24.4 x 17 x 1.3 cm, 0.49 kg

Arising from the 2020 Darwin College Lectures, this book presents eight essays from prominent public intellectuals on the theme of Enigmas. Each author examines this theme through the lens of their own particular area of expertise, together constituting an illuminating and diverse interdisciplinary volume. Enigmas features contributions by professor of physics Sean M. Carroll, author Jo Marchant, writer and broadcaster Adam Rutherford, professor of earth sciences Tamsin A. Mather, professor of the history of the book Erik Kwakkel, reader in cultural history Tiffany Watt Smith, mathematician and public speaker James Grime, assistant professor of positive AI J. Derek Lomas, and explorer Albert Y.- M. Lin. This volume will appeal to anyone fascinated by puzzles and mysteries, solved and unsolved.

Enigmas: Introduction Emily Joan Ward and Robin Reuvers
1. Human origins Adam Rutherford
2. Mysteries of modern physics Sean M. Carroll
3. Decoding the heavens: the Antikythera mechanism Jo Marchant
4. Alan Turing and the Enigma machine James Grime
5. The enigma of emotion Tiffany Watt Smith
6. The enigma of medieval letters Erik Kwakkel
7. Eruptions, emissions and enigmas: from fuming volcanic vents to mass extinction events Tamsin A. Mather
8. The enigma of mind: a theory of evolution and conscious experience Albert Y. M. Lin and J. Derek Lomas
Index.

Subject Areas: Puzzles & quizzes [WDK], Volcanology & seismology [RBC], Physics [PH], Popular science [PDZ], Politics & government [JP], Archaeology [HD], History [HB]