Many Worlds: The New Universe, Extraterrestrial Life, and the Theological Implications
An eminent cast of scientists and science-and-religion writers is ultimately unable to achieve the loosely conceived goal of this conference volume: to discuss the theological implications of cosmic evolution and the possibility of extraterrestrial life and intelligence. Most essays read like opening statements rather than genuine dialogue. Readers may easily become disoriented by elliptical discussions of "the astounding facts of the new universe" while sifting through radically different portrayals of what science says about cosmic origins and biogenesis. These scientific debates are interesting in their own right, but the book lacks even a provisional consensus on these issues, so advocating the "religious implications" of discoveries in these fields is highly uncertain. Few contributors seem intimidated by this uncertainty, although physicist Freeman Dyson and Vatican Observatory director George Coyne, proponents of otherwise very different views, sound similar calls for humility. Several others, including editor Steven Dick and Jill Tarter, director of the private-sector continuation of SETI and the model for Ellie in the 1997 movie Contact, look forward to a time when humanity will outgrow its native spirituality, perhaps disposing of such notions as transcendence and faith. Overall, the volume falls short of the insight conveyed in ContactAthat questions of ultimate meaning remain mysterious whether or not we find ourselves alone in the universe. (June)Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.