Menas Kafatos - Böcker

This discussion resulted from a dialogue which began some seven years ago between a physicist who specializes in astrophysics, general relativity, and the foundations of quantum theory, and a student of cultural history who had done post-doctoral work in the history and philosophy of science. Both of us at that time were awaiting the results of some experiments being conducted under the direction of the physicist Alain Aspect at the University of Paris-South. ! The experiments were the last in a series designed to test some predictions based on a mathematical 2 theorem published in 1964 by John Bell. There was no expectation that the results of these experiments would provide the basis for developing new technologies. The questions which the experiments were designed to answer concerned the relation­ ship between physical reality and physical theory in the branch of physics known as quantum mechanics. Like most questions raised by physicists which lead to startling new insights, they were disarmingly simple and direct. Is quantum physics, asked Bell, a self-consistent theory whose predictions would hold in a new class of experiments, or would the results reveal that the apparent challenges of quantum physics to the understanding in classical physics of the relationship between physical theory and physical reality were merely illusory? Answering this question in actual experiments could also, suggested Bell, lead to another, quite dramatic, result.

This book discusses the implications for philosophy of recent experimental results that confirm some counterintuitive aspects of the way matter behaves. The authors show that a generalized principle of complementarity is pervasive not only in physical theories such as cosmological models of the universe, but also in the construction of all human realities. The book discusses in detail Bell's inequalities for quantum mechanical measurements as well as the recent experiments that confirm them, which imply that even remote parts of the universe are "entangled. " The authors suggest that consciousness can no longer be divorced from the problem of the way science operates, and the book concludes by making the case that this entails a new way of understanding the universe that could obviate much of the current conflict between science and religion while providing at the same time a basis for valuation that is better suited for coordinating all human experience. This second edition has been completely rewritten and brought up to date.

Bell's Theorem and its associated implications for the nature of the physical world remain topics of great interest. For this reason many meetings have been recently held on the interpretation of quantum theory and the implications of Bell's Theorem. Generally these meetings have been held primarily for quantum physicists and philosophers of science who have been or are actively working on the topic. Nevertheless, other philosophers of science, mathematicians, engineers as well as members of the general public have increasingly taken interest in Bell's Theorem and its implications. The Fall Workshop held at George Mason University on October 21 and 22, 1988 and titled "Bell's Theorem, Quantum Theory and Conceptions of the Universe" was of a more general scope. Not only it attracted experts in the field, it also covered other topics such as the implications of quantum non-locality for the nature of consciousness, cosmology, the anthropic principle, etc. topics usually not covered in previous meetings of this kind. The meeting was attended by more than one hundred ten specialists and other interested people from all over the world. The purpose of the meeting was not to provide a definitive answer to the general questions raised by Bell's Theorem. It is likely that the debate will go on for quite a long time. Rather, it was meant to contribute to the important dialogue between different disciplines.

IAU Symposium No. 168, examining the Big Bang and diffuse background radiations, took place on August 23-26, 1994 at the XXIInd IAU General Assembly in the Hague, Netherlands. The meeting attracted a large number - over 250 - of astronomers, reflecting the strong interest engendered by the great advances in cosmology made in recent years. There is still a multitude of unresolved problems in modern cosmology and the symposium offered a wonderful occasion to examine them objectively, at a place where many leading workers in related fields gathered together. After the introduction by IAU President L. Woltjer and the historical background by Vice Present Virginia Trimble, the volume begins with reviews of the cosmic microwave radiation from COBE (Cosmic Background Explorer). Reviews of recent observations then extend from radio to infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays and gamma-rays. It is followed by theoretical models for the Big Bang and inflation, and alternative views to the Big Bang. Following a discourse on "Probes and Future Tests", the meeting ended with a panel discussion on "Major Unsolved Problems of Cosmology".Contributed papers - both oral and poster reports - are included after the invited talks and panel discussions.

The Hubble radius to the Planck scale is the precise scope of 55 contributions to a symposium held at UC Berkeley in honour of J-P. Vigier's (Nobel Laureate Louis de Broglie's principal associate) 80th birthday. The volume contains chapters by physicists and astrophysicists, which contrast both mainstream conservative approaches and leading-edge extended models of fundamental issues in physical theory and observation.

THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERIn this book, that combines cutting edge science with real world applications, Chopra and Kafatos redefine our nature of reality and what is possible.Here they ask 9 questions: What Came Before the Big Bang? Why Does the Universe Fit Together So Perfectly? Where Did Time Come From? What Is the Universe Made Of? Is There Design in the Universe?Is the Quantum World Linked to Everyday Life?Do We Live in a Conscious Universe?How Did Life First Begin? Does the brain create the mind?You Are The Universe offers answers that open up new possibilities for all of us to lead more fruitful, peaceful and successful lives.

Satellite remote sensing for Earth science data has been rapidly expanding during the last decade. Both volumes are designed to give scientists and graduate students with limited remote sensing background a thorough introduction to current and future NASA, NOAA and other Earth science remote sensingmissions.

Earth science satellite remote sensing has been rapidly expanding during the last decade. Both volumes are designed to give scientists and graduate students with limited remote sensing background a thorough introduction to current and future NASA, NOAA and other Earth science remote sensing.

Satellite remote sensing for Earth science data has been rapidly expanding during the last decade. Volume 1 of this two volume monograph covers missions/sensors, such as Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS), Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM), Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS), Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS), and Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit (AMSU). It also discusses the NPOESS and NPP missions. Emphasis was placed on the recently launched Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on board of both Terra and Aqua. Some key MODIS science team members were invited to contribute several chapters. The core of this monograph arose from the workshop for Earth Science Satellite Remote Sensing held at George Mason University (GMU) in October 2002. Both volumes are designed to give scientists and graduate students with limited remote sensing background a thorough introduction to current and future NASA, NOAA and other Earth science remote sensingmissions.

Earth science satellite remote sensing has been rapidly expanding during the last decade. Volume 2 of this two volume monograph provides information on the Earth science remote sensing data information and data format such as HDF-EOS, and tools. It evaluates the current data processing approaches and introduces data searching and ordering from different public domains. Further it explores the remote sensing and GIS migration products and WebGIS applications. The core of this book arose from the workshop for Earth Science Satellite Remote Sensing held at George Mason University (GMU) in October 2002. Both volumes are designed to give scientists and graduate students with limited remote sensing background a thorough introduction to current and future NASA, NOAA and other Earth science remote sensing.

Bell's Theorem and its associated implications for the nature of the physical world remain topics of great interest. For this reason many meetings have been recently held on the interpretation of quantum theory and the implications of Bell's Theorem. Generally these meetings have been held primarily for quantum physicists and philosophers of science who have been or are actively working on the topic. Nevertheless, other philosophers of science, mathematicians, engineers as well as members of the general public have increasingly taken interest in Bell's Theorem and its implications. The Fall Workshop held at George Mason University on October 21 and 22, 1988 and titled "Bell's Theorem, Quantum Theory and Conceptions of the Universe" was of a more general scope. Not only it attracted experts in the field, it also covered other topics such as the implications of quantum non-locality for the nature of consciousness, cosmology, the anthropic principle, etc. topics usually not covered in previous meetings of this kind. The meeting was attended by more than one hundred ten specialists and other interested people from all over the world. The purpose of the meeting was not to provide a definitive answer to the general questions raised by Bell's Theorem. It is likely that the debate will go on for quite a long time. Rather, it was meant to contribute to the important dialogue between different disciplines.