Three Big Bangs

Holmes Rolston III is University Distinguished Professor of Philosophy Emeritus at Colorado State University, a Gifford Lecturer, and recipient of the Templeton Prize in Religion. He has lectured on seven continents, and his books include Genes, Genesis, and God; Science and Religion: A Critical Survey; Philosophy Gone Wild; and Environmental Ethics.

An important contribution not only to the field of science and religion but also to the wider world of intellectual culture. This readable work gives evidence not only of Rolston's breadth of learning in the various sciences, ranging from cosmology and biology to neuroscience, but also of his expertise in the philosophy of science and theology, qualities very few scientific thinkers can claim to possess. -- John F. Haught, Georgetown University, author of Making Sense of Evolution: Darwin, God, and the Drama of Life Three Big Bangs is a scientifically informed meditation on three major historical developments of complexity that led to the existence of human beings in an evolving universe, examining the degree to which these developments were inevitable or simply the result of chance. Holmes Rolston III brings to the task a profound knowledge of biological development, and a deep wisdom about human nature. -- George Ellis, University of Cape Town Rolston, 'the father of environmental ethics,' is not shy about asking unanswerable questions nor about giving a vast sweep of relevant data for reflection. An extraordinarily impressive and hugely stimulating book. The whole notion of writing about the three big bangs is in itself awesome. -- Owen Gingerich, Harvard University, author of God's Universe Holmes Rolston III knows the art of seeing the big issues in the miniatures. While constantly attending to the details and detecting the differences of opinion among leading scientists, Three Big Bangs weaves together the best available knowledge we have about the trajectories that lead from matter-energy onwards to life and mind. The key idea is that the universe is ripe with information, and information is what is both reaped and released in the rarity of life and the uniqueness of humanity. This book is not only a scientifically updated guide for the perplexed. It is masterly written, and involves the reader in an open inquiry about the meaning in science as well as beyond science. -- Niels Henrik Gregersen, Copenhagen University Rolston has found a creative way for integrating three of the most enduring, complex, and intriguing problems in the sciences today. A former Gifford Lecturer, he can look over the shoulders of scientists and the work they are doing and spot what is metaphysically interesting. This book is a wonderful addition to the current science and religion dialogue. -- J. Wentzel van Huyssteen, Princeton Theological Seminary, editor, Encyclopedia of Religion and Nature This concise but remarkably comprehensive work likely will be the best general source for anyone seeking to understand the evolution of nature and human nature. Choice

• List of Illustrations Preface 1. The Primordial Big Bang: Matter-Energy 2. Life: Earth's Big Bang 3. Mind: The Human Big Bang References Index