The God
Theory: Universes, Zero-point Fields, And What's
Behind It All (Hardcover)
by Be= rnard Haisch (Autho= r)
Un libro interesante de Amaz=
on (Luis
Bouza-Brey, 4-8-08, 18:30)
=
Editorial
Reviews
From Bo=
oklist
Physicist Haisch thinks "Let there be
light" isn't just a randomly chosen phrase for the Creation. Indeed, he
believes that in the mysteries of light rest clues to the deepest mysteries=
of
the universe, something he calls God, though he doesn't mean by that word t=
he
personification that some believers prefer. A scientist who has worked in
astrophysics and theoretical physics, Haisch has retained his wonder at the
universe from childhood, as he describes in the affecting memoir with which=
the
book begins. Many scientists find no tension between their profession and t=
he
profession of belief in divinity, but Haisch goes one step further by
attempting to find a scientific explanation for the phenomenon generally ca=
lled
God. Light, that familiar but utterly mysterious force, is the key to such =
an
understanding. Readable and engaging, Haisch will be embraced by those
concerned with finding ways of reconciling science and religion. Patricia
Monaghan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Book Description
Is it possible for there to be a purpose in a Universe born in a Big Bang a=
nd
filled with evolving life? Can the multiverse and superstring theories of c=
osmology
be rendered consistent with an infinite intelligence? Might our human
consciousness transcend physical matter? Is our existence and the life we l=
ive
the means whereby God experiences God's own potential?
A remarkable discovery has gradually emerged in
astrophysics over the past two decades and is now essentially undisputed: t=
hat
certain key physical constants have just the right values to make life
possible. Most scientists prefer to explain away this uniqueness, by claimi=
ng
that a huge, perhaps infinite, number of universes must therefore exist, ea=
ch
with unique properties, each randomly different from the other, with ours o=
nly
seemingly special because in a universe with different properties we would
never have originated.
Haisch proposes the alternative that the special
properties of our Universe reflect an underlying intelligence, one that is
fully consistent with the Big Bang and Darwinian evolution. At this time bo=
th
views are equally logical and equally beyond proof. However exceptional hum=
an experiences
and accounts of mystics throughout the ages do suggest that we live in a
purposeful Universe. Haisch speculates on what this purpose might be and wh=
at
that purpose means for our lives.
This is not incompatible with science. Astrophysi=
cist
Sir James Jeans wrote that "the universe begins to look more like a gr=
eat
thought than like a great machine" and Sir Arthur Eddington, who proved
that Einstein's general relativity was correct, wrote about "science a=
nd
the unseen world." Cosmologist Sir Fred Hoyle called the Universe &quo=
t;an
obvious fix."
Haisch also discusses the popular, but often
misrepresented, topic of zero-point energy from the perspective of a multiy=
ear
NASA-funded study he led at Lockheed Martin.
"Part of the appeal of this book is that Dr.=
H.
presents his hypothesis as a scientist, conditioned by decades in the halls=
of
science. In particular there is no pulpit pounding insistence on his viewpo=
int.
Rather he discusses topics such as creationism vs. evolution without the
emotional upheaval of belief systems.
Of particular interest is his writing on the zero
point field. I had been aware of the astounding discovery, where some
scientists were able to derive Newton's second law of Physics, F=3Dma, by
considering that inertia was simply the 'drag' encountered by mass in the z=
ero
point field. I first read of this in Lynn McTaggart's book the Field. This =
is
astounding because (i) that basic law was thought to be a primary law of the
Universe and thus not-derivable, (ii) it made the zero point field a basis =
of
all matter (iii) the scientific community largely ignored this amazing
discovery.
What I was not aware of was that Bernard was one =
of
those responsible for this discovery! So if you are interested in the zero
point field from someone with the scientific and metaphysical credentials -=
go
no further.
So if you want to put your metaphysical conceptio=
n of
the universe on a more solid scientific basis, and/or have great
discussions...get a little God Theory in your life."
-=
William
Arntz, Executive Producer of "What the Bleep Do We
Know," October 2007 BLEEPing Herald
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