The Copernicus Complex
The Quest for Our Cosmic (In)Significance
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- £6.99
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- £6.99
Publisher Description
Though the concept of "the universe" suggests the containment of everything, the latest ideas in cosmology hint that our universe may be just one of a multitude of others-a single slice of an infinity of parallel realities.
In The Copernicus Complex, the renowned astrophysicist and author Caleb Scharf takes us on a cosmic adventure like no other, from tiny microbes within the Earth to distant exoplanets and beyond, asserting that the age-old Copernican principle is in need of updating. As Scharf argues, when Copernicus proposed that the Earth was not the fixed point at the center of the known universe (and therefore we are not unique), he set in motion a colossal scientific juggernaut, forever changing our vision of nature. But the principle has never been entirely true-we do live at a particular time, in a particular location, under particular circumstances. To solve this conundrum we must put aside our Copernican worldview and embrace the possibility that we are in a delicate balance between mediocrity and significance, order and chaos.
Weaving together cutting-edge science and classic storytelling, historical accounts and speculations on what the future holds, The Copernicus Complex presents a compelling argument for what our true cosmic status is, and proposes a way forward for the ultimate quest: to determine life's abundance not just across this universe but across all realities.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Humans, says astrophysicist Scharf (Gravity's Engines), are torn between two philosophical extremes: either we ourselves and our planet are unique and rare or we are simply "as dull as they come," our existence nothing special at all in a universe dripping with exo-planets and stars. Both points of view influence the way we search for intelligent life in the universe. Scharf says the trouble began with Copernicus's heliocentric system and was strengthened by Newton's theory of gravity and Einstein's relativity they all reinforced the idea of a homogenous universe with other stars and solar systems much like our own. But more recently proponents of the "anthropic principle" itemized the scientific "coincidences" needed for intelligent life to evolve, and, suddenly, humanity began to sound special again. Scharf recommends looking for "Earth-equivalent" rather than "Earth-like" worlds with the most basic features required to support life. Humans also need to understand that each world can, and probably will, change radically over time. Scharf covers a lot of ground, and his entertaining, accessible approach offers valuable insight not just into science, but also into the way our assumptions can make a difficult task, like finding life in the universe, even harder.
