The Accidental Universe [Paperback]

P. C. W. Davies (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521286921 | ISBN-13: 978-0521286923 | Publication Date: October 29, 1982

In The Accidental Universe renowned expositor Paul Davies grapples with the most fundamental questions of all. What is our purpose and the purpose of the universe? Are both an accident of nature? Paul Davies guides us through the mysterious coincidences underlying the structure and properties of the universe we inhabit. He sets out the intriguing hypothesis that the appearance of the universe and its properties are highly contrived. Paul Davies gives a survey of the range of apparently miraculous accidents of nature that have enabled the universe to evolve its familiar structure of atoms, stars, galaxies and life itself. This remarkable book concludes with an investigation of the anthropic principle, which postulates that much of what we observe around us is a consequence of the presence of observers in the universe. This thesis of a cosmic biological selection effect is fiercely debated among scientists and is here set out clearly for a general readership.

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

In The Accidental Universe renowned expositor Paul Davies grapples with the most fundamental questions of all. What is our purpose and the purpose of the universe? Are both an accident of nature? Paul Davies guides us through the mysterious coincidences underlying the structure and properties of the universe we inhabit.

Product Details

• Paperback: 152 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (October 29, 1982)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521286921
• ISBN-13: 978-0521286923
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #939,315 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Paul Davies is an internationally acclaimed physicist, cosmologist, and astrobiologist at Arizona State University, where he runs the pioneering Beyond Center for Fundamental Concepts in Science. He also chairs the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Post-Detection Taskgroup, so that if SETI succeeds in finding intelligent life, he will be among the first to know. The asteroid 1992OG was officially renamed Pauldavies in his honor. In addition to his many scientific awards, Davies is the recipient of the 1995 Templeton Prize--the world's largest annual prize--for his work on science and religion. He is the author of more than twenty books, including The Mind of God, About Time, How to Build a Time Machine, and The Goldilocks Enigma. He lives in Tempe, Arizona.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An awe-inspiring little book., December 17, 2004

By 

Sandra Feder "Author of Side Effect and One o... - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Accidental Universe (Hardcover)

Davies says the numerical values that nature has assigned to the fundamental constants--like the charge on the electron, the mass of the proton, and the Newtonian gravitational constant--are critical to the structure of the universe we perceive.

Many characteristics of systems--from nuclei to galaxies--are very sensitive to the values of the fundamental constants. Had nature chosen a slightly different set of numbers, the world would be a very different place. Most likely, we would not be here to see it.

Here's one example:
Since liquid oceans have existed on Earth for the greater part of the history of the solar system, the temperature and luminosity of the sun can't have varied very much. This long-term, stable environment is due to the sun not using up its fuel too fast.

The rate at which nuclear fuel is consumed inside a star depends on the star's luminosity. Luminosity depends on the strength of gravity, and on electromagnetism. Roughly, the lifetime of a star is given by its total energy reserves divided by the rate of energy consumption. Davies' calculations show that the lifetime of a typical star is comparable to the present age of the universe, which is correct.

From this example, we can see that if gravity were stronger, stars would burn out faster. An increase by a factor of 10 in the gravitational constant would have changed everything. The earth would no longer exist. It would have been vaporized as the sun approached its red giant phase at the end of its hydrogen consumption. Thus, the extremely long time-scale required for major cosmic change is directly attributable to the weakness of gravity.

It seems that a hidden principle is at work, organizing the universe in a coherent way. Some scientists say this principle is not a physical one, but an anthropic one. The anthropic principle takes several forms. One says that if the fundamental constants had had significantly different values, we would simply not be here to comment on them. Another edges on special creation, saying that "The Universe must be such as to admit the creation of observers within it at some stage." Still another suggests that our very special cosmos is only one example of a limitless variety of actually existing universes.

Whatever your take on the subject, this book is beautiful and awe-inspiring.

4.0 out of 5 stars Odds are, the universe is not accidental., November 7, 2011

By 

Michael J Ross (Thomasville, NC) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Accidental Universe (Hardcover)

The story starts just nano-seconds after the big bang. It covers all the forces that began to shape our universe; the one that we see today. The universe evolved through different phases. There were many critical control points, where things had to be precisely correct for us to be here today. Any slight variation from the way things had to be and the universe would not resemble OUR universe in any way. Was it extremely good luck or?

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Groundbreaking Small Work, October 27, 2005

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Reader From Aurora - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Accidental Universe (Paperback)

P.C.W. Davies' "The Accidental Universe was one of the first popular-level discussions of the so-called Anthropic Principle (in its strong sense the idea that the universe was designed for human existence). Davies is a well-known physicist and prolific science writer.

Written almost a quarter of a century ago, this short book discuss the many seemingly accidental aspects of the universe that allow it to be life permitting, e.g. the values and relationship between the fundamental forces. I share the author view that this combination of factors is exceedingly improbable and begs the question - Why? Why do we find ourselves in a universe that appears to be improbable beyond belief? Though Davies only touches on this question in a cursory manner ,it has spawned a range of responses from scientific, religious and philosophical camps. The proposed answers run the gambit from it was designed by God - to a forthcoming Theory of Everything will make these seemingly accidental constants necessary - to science fiction type speculation regarding multiple universes. Interested readers can explore these topics in the many good subsequent works in philosophy and cosmology.

Though this is a groundbreaking small work, I do not find Davies writing style particularly engaging (he seems, however, to have improved somewhat through the years). His frequent inclusion of formulas throughout the text can make it feel very choppy. Though the math is not complex the scientific notation may unduly slow readers who are unaccustomed to this style - much of this could be included as an annex. Indeed, though Davies deserves to be recognized for his groundbreaking work others have handled this material better - many strong discussions are available within the fields of philosophy of science and the philosophy of religion.

Overall, a good little book that raises many important scientific and philosophical questions. A bit of a clumsy read at times, but, none-the-less worthwhile for those interested in cosmology or metaphysics.