Masks of the Universe
Changing Ideas on the Nature of the Cosmos

A 2003 synthesis of scientific, philosophical and religious issues in cosmology.

Edward Harrison (Author)

9780521773515, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 8 May 2003

342 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 2.1 cm, 0.697 kg

Review of the hardback: '… well produced, informative … reasonably priced and will appeal to anyone of a philosophical turn of mind …' Astronomy Now

To the ancient Greeks the universe consisted of earth, air, fire, and water. To Saint Augustine it was the Word of God. To many modern scientists it is the dance of atoms and waves, and in years to come it may be different again. What then is the real Universe? History shows that in every age each society constructs its own universe, believing it to be the real and final Universe. Yet each universe is only a model or mask of the unknown Universe. Originally published in 2003, this book brings together fundamental scientific, philosophical, and religious issues in cosmology, raising thought-provoking questions. In every age people have pitied the universes of their ancestors, convinced that they have at last discovered the ultimate truth. Does the modern model stand at the threshold of discovering everything, or will it, like all the rest, come to be pitied?

Preface
Introducing the masks
Part I. Worlds in the Making: 1. The magic Universe
2. The mythic Universe
3. The geometric Universe
4. The medieval Universe
5. The infinite Universe
6. The mechanistic Universe
Part II. The Heart Divine: 7. Dance of the atoms and waves
8. Fabric of space and time
9. Nearer to the heart's desire
10. The cosmic tide
11. Do dreams ever come true?
Part III. The Cloud of Unknowing: 12. The witch universe
13. The spear of Archytas
14. All that is made
15. The cloud of unknowing
16. Learned ignorance.

Subject Areas: Cosmology & the universe [PGK], History of science [PDX], Philosophy of science [PDA]