Book of the Decade

Lightman, Alan. 2018.  Searching for Stars on an Island in Maine,  New York.  Pantheon Books.  226 pages.

Delightful reading, perhaps a surprise for essays from a theoretical physicist.  He seems to be trying to reconcile truths of science and the humanities, which he now teaches at MIT, in twenty well written and understandable essays.

A French cave painting from 17,000 BC provoked thinking about humans and their role in nature.

Reconciling cause and effect leads to thoughts about our inability to prove absolute truth.  Absolute truths are most often claimed in theology (and the humanities?).  Some philosophers of science claim falsifiability is a requirement for for all scientific concepts, laws, and theories.  That does not mean they will be falsified, just that they must be capable of being tested by new hypotheses and evidence.

His fascinating blend of science and humanities topics, from the universe to subatomic particles, from the origin of the living world to the future of humans, will enlighten and hold the attention of most of us.

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He finds the evolution of our species, Homo sapiens, is likely to lead to Homo techno, a blend  of biological and electronic parts.  I personally think it is impossible to the degree he describes, but I was wrong about us never reaching the moon.

His search (for God and/or absolute truth?) described in his exploration of Jewish, Christian, and Islamic views, as well as a ten-day Buddhist retreat in Wisconsin, and discussion of many other views, and bits from classics in the humanities, is a marvelous story well worth reading.  But his scientific skepticism and application of humanities based thought leads him to a god much like mother nature.

I really like Alan Lightman, just from reading his book.  It would be great to sit around the coffee table discussing all sorts of things with him.  But, unfortunately, I can not sucessfully introduce him to God; he is still trying to use his skills as a scientist in the material world to prove God's existence. 

All he needs to do is ask God directly, God is everywhere and always listening.  He does not need to be knocked off his mount as St. Paul was, St. Paul already believed in God and was trying to serve Him in his way.

Joseph Engemann      Kalamazoo, Michigan     August 25, 2018