Origins: The Scientific Story of Creation

Jim Baggott sets out the scientific story of creation - 13.8 billion years from the Big Bang to human consciousness, via the origins of space and time, mass and light, stars, the habitable earth, and life itself. From astrophysics to biology, the whole inspiring picture is here.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 432 pages
Publication date: 21 June 2018
Publisher: Oxford University Press

What is life? Where do we come from and how did we evolve? What is the universe and how was it formed? What is the nature of the material world? How does it work? How and why do we think? What does it mean to be human? How do we know?

There are many different versions of our creation story. This book tells the version according to modern science. It is a unique account, starting at the Big Bang and traveling right up to the emergence of humans as conscious, intelligent beings, 13.8 billion years later. Chapter by chapter, it sets out the current state of scientific knowledge: the origins of space and time; energy, mass, and light; galaxies, stars, and our sun; the habitable earth, and complex life itself. Drawing together the physical and biological sciences, Baggott recounts what we currently know of our history, highlighting the questions science has yet to answer.

The origins of life, the universe, and the material world are complex and multifaceted. Scientists have made significant progress in understanding these topics, but many questions remain unanswered. In this book, we will explore the current state of scientific knowledge and discuss the questions that remain.

Life:

Life is one of the most mysterious and fascinating aspects of the universe. Scientists have been studying life for centuries, but they still do not fully understand how it originated and evolved. One of the most widely accepted theories of life's origin is the theory of evolution. According to this theory, life on Earth began with simple organisms that evolved over time through a process called natural selection. Over millions of years, these organisms developed into the complex organisms that we see today, including humans.

Another theory of life's origin is the theory of panspermia. According to this theory, life on Earth was created by small particles that were blasted into space by a comet or asteroid. These particles then settled on Earth and began to evolve into the first organisms.

The nature of life is also a topic of ongoing research. Scientists are studying the molecular mechanisms that drive life, including DNA, proteins, and enzymes. They are also investigating the processes that govern life's reproduction, growth, and death.

The universe:

The universe is the vast expanse of space and time that we inhabit. Scientists have been studying the universe for centuries, but they still do not fully understand its origins and evolution. One of the most widely accepted theories of the universe's origin is the Big Bang theory. According to this theory, the universe began as a point of infinite heat and density called a singularity. Over time, the singularity expanded and cooled, forming the first galaxies, stars, and planets.

Another theory of the universe's origin is the inflationary theory. According to this theory, the universe began as a tiny point that inflated rapidly, expanding to a size that we can currently observe. The inflationary theory explains many of the observed features of the universe, such as the uniformity of the temperature and the abundance of matter.

The nature of the universe is also a topic of ongoing research. Scientists are studying the properties of the universe, including its density, temperature, and energy. They are also investigating the origins of the universe's fundamental particles, such as protons, neutrons, and electrons.

The material world:

The material world is the physical world that we perceive with our senses. Scientists have been studying the material world for centuries, but they still do not fully understand its origins and evolution. One of the most widely accepted theories of the material world's origin is the Big Bang theory. According to this theory, the material world began as a point of infinite heat and density called a singularity. Over time, the singularity expanded and cooled, forming the first galaxies, stars, and planets.

Another theory of the material world's origin is the inflationary theory. According to this theory, the material world began as a tiny point that inflated rapidly, expanding to a size that we can currently observe. The inflationary theory explains many of the observed features of the universe, such as the uniformity of the temperature and the abundance of matter.

The nature of the material world is also a topic of ongoing research. Scientists are studying the properties of the material world, including its density, temperature, and energy. They are also investigating the origins of the universe's fundamental particles, such as protons, neutrons, and electrons.

How does the material world work?

The material world is composed of matter and energy. Matter is the substance of which the physical world is made, and energy is the force that governs the behavior of matter. The nature of matter and energy is a topic of ongoing research. Scientists are studying the properties of matter, including its density, temperature, and mass. They are also investigating the origins of the universe's fundamental particles, such as protons, neutrons, and electrons.

Energy is the most fundamental property of the material world. It is the force that governs the behavior of matter and the motion of objects. There are two types of energy: kinetic energy and potential energy. Kinetic energy is the energy of motion, and potential energy is the energy that an object has due to its position or state.

The behavior of matter and energy is governed by the laws of physics. These laws describe the relationships between different types of energy and matter and the interactions between objects. The laws of physics are a set of rules that govern the behavior of the material world. They are based on observations and experiments and are constantly being refined and updated.

How and why do we think?

Thinking is a complex process that involves the brain and the body. The brain is the organ responsible for processing information and generating thoughts. The body is the organ responsible for carrying out the thoughts. The nature of thinking is a topic of ongoing research. Scientists are studying the brain and the body to understand how they work together to generate thoughts.

The brain is composed of billions of neurons that communicate with each other through electrical and chemical signals. When we think, the brain sends signals to the body, which then carries out the thoughts. The process of thinking is a complex one that involves many different parts of the brain, including the prefrontal cortex, the temporal lobe, and the cerebellum.

The nature of thinking is also a topic of ongoing research. Scientists are studying the different types of thinking, including logical thinking, creative thinking, and emotional thinking. They are also investigating the factors that influence thinking, such as genetics, environment, and experience.

What does it mean to be human?

Being human is a complex and multifaceted concept. It involves our physical and mental abilities, our emotions, and our relationships with others. The nature of being human is a topic of ongoing research. Scientists are studying the brain and the body to understand how they work together to generate human behavior.

The brain is the organ responsible for processing information and generating thoughts. It is composed of billions of neurons that communicate with each other through electrical and chemical signals. When we think, the brain sends signals to the body, which then carries out the thoughts. The process of thinking is a complex one that involves many different parts of the brain, including the prefrontal cortex, the temporal lobe, and the cerebellum.

The nature of being human is also a topic of ongoing research. Scientists are studying the different types of human behavior, including social behavior, cultural behavior, and individual behavior. They are also investigating the factors that influence human behavior, such as genetics, environment, and experience.

How do we know?

Knowing is a process that involves the brain and the body. The brain is the organ responsible for processing information and generating knowledge. The body is the organ responsible for carrying out the knowledge. The nature of knowing is a topic of ongoing research. Scientists are studying the brain and the body to understand how they work together to generate knowledge.

The brain is composed of billions of neurons that communicate with each other through electrical and chemical signals. When we know, the brain sends signals to the body, which then carries out the knowledge. The process of knowing is a complex one that involves many different parts of the brain, including the prefrontal cortex, the temporal lobe, and the cerebellum.

The nature of knowing is also a topic of ongoing research. Scientists are studying the different types of knowledge, including scientific knowledge, cultural knowledge, and personal knowledge. They are also investigating the factors that influence knowledge, such as genetics, environment, and experience.

In conclusion, the origins of life, the universe, and the material world are complex and multifaceted. Scientists have made significant progress in understanding these topics, but many questions remain unanswered. In this book, we will explore the current state of scientific knowledge and discuss the questions that remain. We will also discuss the nature of life, the universe, and the material world and how they work. We will also discuss the process of thinking and the nature of being human. Finally, we will discuss the process of knowing and the factors that influence knowledge.

Weight: 712g
Dimension: 233 x 152 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780198826002