by John D. Barrow, Frank J. Tipler, John A. Wheeler
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Product Description
Ever since Copernicus, scientists have continually adjusted their view of human nature, moving it further and further from its ancient position at the center of Creation. But in recent years, a startling new concept has evolved that places it more firmly than ever in a special position. Known as the Anthropic Cosmological Principle, this collection of ideas holds that the existence of intelligent observers determines the fundamental structure of the Universe. In its most radical version, the Anthropic Principle asserts that "intelligent information-processing must come into existence in the Universe, and once it comes into existence, it will never die out."
This wide-ranging and detailed book explores the many ramifications of the Anthropic Cosmological Principle, covering the whole spectrum of human inquiry from Aristotle to Z bosons. Bringing a unique combination of skills and knowledge to the subject, John D. Barrow and Frank J. Tipler--two of the world's leading cosmologists--cover the definition and nature of life, the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, and the interpretation of the quantum theory in relation to the existence of observers. The book will be of vital interest to philosophers, theologians, mathematicians, scientists, and historians, as well as to anyone concerned with the connection between the vastness of the universe of stars and galaxies and the existence of life within it on a small planet out in the suburbs of the Milky Way.
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Average Customer Review:
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
 Astonishing book!, 2008-06-24
Barrow's book ("The Anthropic Cosmological Principle" ) is astonishing for the extraordinary wisdom showed in many ways and subjects. I don't know mathematics very well ( I am a Classic Languages and Literatures teacher ), but even I am able to follow the wide open demonstration. Barrow must win Nobel Prize! He is culturally complete: he is not only a scientist, but a philosophic mind with a greatful sense of beauty and creative personality. His point of view is always in earnest with the reader, because he isn't his erudition's slave like Dawkins or a slave of religion and priests like Mc Grath. Barrow is like Jan Assmann or Roger Penrose. At least I want clearly remark: read this book! Barrow is a genius!
1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
Great...but not science., 2008-02-05
My 1986 edition of this book is in poor shape. I have read it cover to cover several times and it shows. The latest edition adds little to the fundamentals and keeps the arguments more or less the same.
I have never owned a non-fiction book that I liked so much and yet with which I disagreed so strongly. I first came across the Anthropic Principle as a freshly minted graduate some thirty years ago. It immediately fired my imagination and I have been thinking about it on and off ever since. It is, on the surface, an extremely attractive idea and appears to have many useful functions. In its weak form it acts as a testable constraint on the structure and evolution of the Universe. It provides scientific support for teleology and yields powerful insights into the paradoxical world of quantum mechanics. Finally it describes what the future of the Universe might look like.
I believe that the impetus for the recent re-emergence of the Anthropic Principle is quantum mechanics pure and simple, and at heart the Principle is an attempt to decipher the frustrating paradoxes presented by its various interpretations. For myself, I have matured enough to realise that we do not need, and may never have, a coherent "real-world" interpretation of quantum mechanics and may have to learn to live with it simply as an instrumental theorem. But I do admit that it would be nice to have such an interpretation and we certainly shouldn't stop looking. Unfortunately I don't think this book can help us find it.
I reject teleology (almost) out of hand as a scientific principle and I go so far as to suggest that it is little more than an intellectual trap with no way out. But if teleology is your game, this book presents the best-argued case for it that I have ever read. Of course, in the highly charged and politicised world of modern science it is but a small step from "purpose" to "Creator" and I can already see from previous reviews that some are just itching to make this jump. This is another reason, (I fully admit that it is an ideological reason), why I would treat the premise and conclusions of this book with great caution.
There are numerous other things to say about the various chapters both from a scientific and a philosophical point of view but I believe that the above gives an adequate picture of what my thoughts are.
Despite these misgivings, I would recommend this book to anyone without hesitation. It is exceptionally well-written, thoughtful and thought provoking. It is scientifically accurate and yields absolute gems in its, sometimes-novel, interpretation of mundane facts such as dimensionality, the structure of water and the cosmic impact of space exploration. There is absolutely nothing wrong with writing speculative and philosophical works about science. Many of the greatest scientists, especially physicists and mathematicians have done so. I just happen to disagree with the authors' implications and conclusions in this work.
7 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
 700 Page Pocketbook, 2006-08-18
Published in late 1980s this book discusses what has come to be known as the `anthropic principle'- originally coined by Carter in the 1970's. Barrow and Tippler are physicists and popular science writers.
This anthropic principle has been variously understood, but, in a general sense, it pertains to the relationship between the characteristics of the universe and our existence within the universe - i.e. the universe seems remarkably tuned for human life. A strong formulation of this principle would argue along the lines of "the universe was intended/designed for our type of life". While a weaker formulation would take the tact that these qualities are required in order to produce observers such as ourselves. I applaud the author's ambition in tackling this issue. They make a laudable effort to be comprehensive and attempt to cover the pertinent historic, philosophical and scientific ground.
Unfortunately, the book is too broad, as a result, at times it devolves into a litany of disparate quotes and facts that leaves the reader thinking; so what? Additionally, some of their conjectures (i.e. Final Anthropic Principle), while fun seems a bit too much like science fiction for my tastes. I am unsure of the audience for this text? Readers capable of following the discussion will likely find it superficial and speculative. While those new to this subject may find it to be unhelpful. Someone looking to get the gist of the types of questions addressed in this text is better looking at on-line sources such as Wikipedia (it has limits, but is a better entry point). Additionally, though it may sound trivial the format is unappealing - a 700-page pocketbook - the quotes are vanishingly small! I am unaware of a hard copy version.
Despite the book's limitations, the authors deserve some credit for their pioneering effort. I would, however, not recommend it for the general reader. There are a range of outstanding popular works that cover similar ground more effectively - e.g for those seeking a introduction to some of the broader scientific issues raised, Greene, Ferris are especially good. Whereas the anthropic principle and its ramifications are better handled from a philosophy of religion or science perspective, e.g. Polkinghorne.
3 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
Modern cosmology., 2005-09-08
A great book about the modern scientific theories on the origin and functioning of the universe.
10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
NOT a Layman's guide to the Anthropic Cosmological Principle, 2005-08-03
Although this is a very extensive book, covering the Anthropic Cosmological Principle (which in short focuses on the fact that so many aspects of the cosmos and nature are finely tuned to make life possible) in a historical perspective, within cosmology, quantum theory, chemistry and biology, it is definitely not a book for the Layman. It includes a lot of mathematics, which I think should have been included in the references at the end of each chapter. However, when you filter those passages out, and focus on the main points, this book is a must-have and a classic for everyone with an open mind and interest in our place in this universe.
Rob (The Netherlands)
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