Product Description

This fascinating study of chaos and order in the universe marks a new direction in scientific approaches to these areas. Rejecting Laplacian notions of `meaningless', coincidental order and of a ruling tendency towards dissolution and chaos, Layzer draws physics, biology, chemistry, and astronomy into a fluid philosophy of order, able to accommodate the individual act and random event without causing structural breakdown. Layzer manages to be both entertaining and very convincing at the same time. Among the intriguing side issues he brings up are a new theory for the origins of the universe and a physical explanation for why off-key musical notes jar.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1654471 in Books
• Published on: 1991-06-20
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 336 pages

Customer Reviews

An attempt to unite physics, biology and anthropology
I personally found this book very interesting, even though I don't agree with all his conclusions. His breadth of knowledge is extraordinary and he always writes with authority. He describes "order" as understood by physicists and takes this concept through into the origins of life, society and human consciousness. Ever in the background are the ancient Greeks, whose contribution in all areas of science is truly astonishing. This book is more suitable for the "persevering layperson" than someone looking for cosmic spectacles.