Order from a Major Online Bookstore
Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine
Save Your Time And Money
| AnyBook4Less.com | Order from a Major Online Bookstore |
|
| Home | Store List | FAQ | Contact Us | | ||
| Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine Save Your Time And Money |
||
 |
Title: The Large, the Small and the Human Mind by Roger Penrose, Malcolm Longair, Abner Shimony, Nancy Cartwright, Stephen Hawking ISBN: 0-521-78572-3 Publisher: Cambridge University Press Pub. Date: 15 January, 2000 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $18.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.31 (13 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Lucid approach to establish a quantum-based mind theory
Comment: Penrose concisely manages to give us an overview about 3 somehow interconnected fields, the mathematically described large-scale world, the deterministic quantum microcosm and the recently emergent mind science. His major aspiration is to see the new generation of scientists erecting a bridge between the quantum world and the always controversial substance of conscience.
Having in his mind (in a neo-platonic way) the idealistic nature of mathematics that apply to the physical world as a well-justified model, he firstly presents some themes from cosmology and abstract mathematics (e.g. hyperbolic, Riemann geometry), and why, in his opinion, Guth's inflationary universe theory, has weak points (see also Penrose's book- Difficulties with inflationary cosmology) In chapter 2 ,quantum physics related, he gives us interesting examples (the paradox& puzzles reference shows his great sense of humor) and explain us how wavefunction's reduction can assist us to deal with the probabilistic nature of events in this level.
In the most interesting third one, he is concerned to lay an in-depth foundation between quantum procedures through neurons, so as to explain his main belief - brain function (that creates conscience) can't be simulated through A.I. Even though I tend to prefer J.Searle opinion (presented in his book Mind,Brain & Science) Penrose's points are adequately justified, thus leaving an open window for Free Will.
In the next three chapters certain Penrose's point's are opposed from Shimony (physician, philosopher) Nancy Cartwright(logician, philosopher) and the renowned Steven Hawking.
Shimony in a formalistic language, but slightly excessive for the common reader, finally makes a conjecture about a hyperselection law, in order to avoid quantum dualism, while Mrs Cartwright sets a contronversy against the usefulness of a perception that sets Physics the only explanatory science for mind theory and not for example Biology.(which for Penrose is reduced to Physics)
Hawking denies an indispensable and direct correlation between quantum gravity and the yet inextricable conscience and in chapter 7 Penrose responds to all so as to end this dialectically fair and fruitful discussion.
Overall this was worth my time, not only for this subject's great interest but because Penrose explains his thesis, clearly and distinctly.The uprising need for 'popular' science is reflected and adequately satisfied through this lucid book which succinctly presents a contemporary overview in a 'hot' scientific field.
Even non-expert readers (no special background in maths or physics is needed) will be able to follow and admire the ongoing revolution of scientific thought.Given it was written in'97 I'm looking forward and will benevolently embrace another similar work of a splendid thinker such as Penrose
Rating: 5
Summary: The clearest statement of Penrose's philosophy to date.
Comment: A previous commentator claimed that this book was not readable enough for a mass audience--I have to disagree with this view wholeheartedly. I would say that his previous works, especially "Shadows of the Minds" were difficult to digest due to the amount of mathematics contained in almost all of the chapters (this doesn't negate the power of his ideas--he just makes them hard to understand). This latest work presents all of his major ideas on cosmology, quantum physics, and the nature of the mind in an extremely clear manner. His treatment of quantum physics is the best I've seen to date in a popular work. A short and rewarding read.
Rating: 5
Summary: Biology Contradicted.
Comment: What I am writing here in no way does justice to the book, I am merely trying to add a corrective to the way the book is reviewed. With Penrose, biology and the brain itself become epiphenomena. Biology loses its status as protected economic mythology (by default, not in the book). To become a neurobiologist (for instance) one usually has to accept at least some of the assumptions of the discipline or accept some responsibility for them; even by the questions Penrose raises he is fundamentally undermining such disciplines (even categorically) and at the same time seriously calling into question the judgment of their adherents. After all why would one have accepted or promoted such polluted theories when (after the fact) clarity was there all along... unless there was another motive. So more than their judgment is at stake, this work even calls into question their character as reflected in their basic sense of things. What are they going to do? Reform? It calls into question their basic forum.
 |
Title: Shadows of the Mind: A Search for the Missing Science of Consciousness by Roger Penrose ISBN: 0195106466 Publisher: Oxford University Press Pub. Date: May, 1996 List Price(USD): $22.50 |
 |
Title: The Emperor's New Mind: Concerning Computers, Minds, and the Laws of Physics (Popular Science) by Roger Penrose, Martin Gardner ISBN: 0192861980 Publisher: Oxford Press Pub. Date: October, 2002 List Price(USD): $17.95 |
 |
Title: What is Life? : With Mind and Matter and Autobiographical Sketches by Erwin Schrodinger, Roger Penrose ISBN: 0521427088 Publisher: Cambridge University Press Pub. Date: 31 January, 1992 List Price(USD): $19.00 |
 |
Title: The Nature of Space and Time by Stephen Hawking, Roger Penrose ISBN: 0691050848 Publisher: Princeton Univ Pr Pub. Date: 15 October, 2000 List Price(USD): $18.95 |
 |
Title: Physics and Philosophy: The Revolution in Modern Science by Werner Heisenberg, F. S. C. Northrop ISBN: 1573926949 Publisher: Prometheus Books Pub. Date: May, 1999 List Price(USD): $13.00 |
Thank you for visiting www.AnyBook4Less.com and enjoy your savings!
Copyright� 2001-2021 Send your comments
