Third Culture: Beyond the Scientific RevolutionThirty-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 that science has changed the intellectual landscape. Brockman's thesis that science is emerging as the intellectual center of our society is brought to life vividly in The Third Culture, which weaves together the voices of some of today's most influential scientific figures, including: Stephen Jay Gould and Richard Dawkins on the implications of evolution Steven Pinker, Marvin Minsky, Daniel C. Dennett, and Roger Penrose on how the mind works Murray Gell-Mann and Stuart Kauffman on the new sciences of complexity The Third Culture is an honest picture of science in action. It is at once stimulating, challenging, and riveting. |
Contents
INTRODUCTION | 17 |
THE EVOLUTIONARY IDEA | 33 |
The gene is a package of information not an object The pattern of base pairs | 43 |
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Common terms and phrases
algorithms anthropic argument autopoiesis basic behavior believe biologists black holes brain Brian Goodwin called cell Chomsky cognitive complex adaptive systems complex systems consciousness cosmology culture DANIEL HILLIS Darwin Darwinian Dennett developed Doyne Farmer dynamics emergent evolution evolutionary biology evolved example explain fact field FRANCISCO VARELA fundamental Gaia galaxies genetic going happen human idea important intellectual interactions interesting kind language laws of physics LEE SMOLIN look machine MARVIN MINSKY mathematical Maynard Smith mind MURRAY GELL-MANN mutation natural selection NILES ELDREDGE organisms particles Penrose philosopher physicists principle problem properties punctuated equilibrium quantum gravity quantum mechanics quantum theory question replicators Richard Dawkins Roger Schank scientific scientists self-organization sense space spandrels species started Stephen Jay Gould Steve structure Stuart Kauffman talk there's things thought tion trying understand universe what's