The Immense Journey

From the Birth of the Universe to the Rise of Intelligence

This book is an attempt to trace the majestic immense journey from the coming into being of the universe to the emergence and evolution of life. It is intended to complement the many excellent books that cover different aspects of this journey.

The contents have been classified into five parts. Part I covers the coming into existence of the universe while Part II presents the beginning of life on the early Earth, following which Part III discusses the emergence of consciousness and intelligence, and Part IV, the immense journey of the universe beyond Earth. Finally, Part V addresses the problems raised by the rise of higher-order consciousness in human beings as captured by the phrase "the human condition".

Contents:

• Introduction

• The Coming into Existence of the Universe:

  • In the Beginning
  • Quantum Foundations and the Building Blocks of Matter
  • Let There be Light

• The Beginning of Life on the Early Earth:

  • Prebiotic Molecules and Protocells
  • The First Cells
  • Darwinian Evolution and Beyond

• The Emergence of Consciousness:

  • Sense, Thought and Consciousness

• The Immense Journey of the Universe:

  • Beyond Our Earth

• The Human Condition:

  • Civilization and Its Discontents

• Code and Implications

• Appendices:

  • Space — Time — Matter
  • Group Theory and Quantum Mechanics

Readership: Students in natural sciences and all those interested in philosophy of science.
Key Features:

• Interesting material for readers looking for a connection between science and religion
• Accessible to the general public with a basic introduction to general science