Evolution and the Emergent Self: The Rise of Complexity and Behavioral Versatility in Nature
Raymond L. Neubauer ranges over much territory, not only in the biosciences but also beyond and into the physical sciences.Evolution and the Emergent Selfis easy to read and accessible, yet technical enough to be of value to a wide spectrum of scientists and students. This book is a wonderful new contribution to an interdisciplinary field of growing interest.(Eric Chaisson, Tufts University and Harvard University, author ofEpic of Evolution: Seven Ages of the Cosmos)Ever since the universe began to present itself to scientists as a story and not a mere state, it has sought skillful narrators with the vision to tell us what's really going on there. It has found one in Raymond L. Neubauer. Aware of how difficult it has been for modern thought to reconcile the dispassionate scientific study of nature with the pulse of personality, the author succeeds admirably in pulling off the needed synthesis. Neubauer—a rare combination of scientist, poet, and seer—weaves together the latest information from biology, chemistry, physics, cosmology, and other sciences in a readable and dramatically gripping way. His artful and scientifically rigorous rendition of the cosmic story cunningly reveals to readers how their own personal existence and aspirations are stitched seamlessly into a grand cosmic narrative. A lovely and enlightening book.(John F. Haught, Georgetown University, author ofMaking Sense of Evolution: Darwin, God, and the Drama of Life)...fascinating, big-picture discussion...(Library Journal)It is an amazing, well-written account.(Choice)This is the ultimate handbook for a scientist of any type to gain an introduction to a variety of different areas of science and integrate them into his or her own perspective on the emergent self.(PsycCritiques1900-01-00)