The beginning and the end : the meaning of life in a cosmological perspective

Author:Clément Vidal (Author)

Summary:In this fascinating journey to the edge of science, Vidal takes on big philosophical questions: Does our universe have a beginning and an end, or is it cyclic? Are we alone in the universe? What is the role of intelligent life, if any, in cosmic evolution? Grounded in science and committed to philosophical rigor, this book presents an evolutionary worldview where the rise of intelligent life is not an accident, but may well be the key to unlocking the universe's deepest mysteries. Vidal shows how the fine-tuning controversy can be advanced with computer simulations. He also explores whether natural or artificial selection could hold on a cosmic scale. In perhaps his boldest hypothesis, he argues that signs of advanced extraterrestrial civilizations are already present in our astrophysical data. His conclusions invite us to see the meaning of life, evolution, and intelligence from a novel cosmological framework that should stir debate for years to come

eBook, English, 2014

Edition:View all formats and editions

Publisher: Springer, Cham [Switzerland], 2014

Series:

Frontiers collection

Publication:Springer eBooks

Physical Description:1 online resource

ISBN:

9783319050621, 3319050621

DOI:10.1007/978-3-319-05062-1

OCLC Number / Unique Identifier:880420817