Cosmic Joy and Local Pain: Musings of a Mystic Scientist (Hardcover)

by Harold J. Morowitz (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
The theory that planet Earth functions like one huge living organism is fashionable, so a sicentist's attempt to flesh out this cosmic viewpoint with hard evidence is certainly welcome. Morowitz, a Yale biophysicist and popular essayist (The Wine of Life, Mayonnaise and the Origin of Life is a fairly timid pantheist. He claims that humans are part of a biosphere that constantly interacts with the geosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere. Though he cites phenomena from such fields as evolution, the theory of continental drift, genetics and astrophysics, he rarely ventures into the deeper waters of the new planetary outlook. Written from the vantage of his sailboat, while moored off a Hawaiian island, this too-leisurely meditation interweaves the sights and sounds of volcanic mountains and star-drenched beaches with thoughts on Spinoza, Teilhard de Chardin, Freeman Dyson and Jacques Monod.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
Morowitz, a biophysicist whose previous books include Mayonnaise and the Origin of Life ( LJ 11/15/85), here attempts a "summing up in nontechnical terms . . . of the activities of our planet." Writing in the manner of a Gould or Thomas, he moves through the four geospheres (lithosphere, atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere), tying them together with clear microscopic and macroscopic explanations. He uses science (cosmic joy) and reflective thought (local pain) to synthesize his understanding of our universe. Many readers will appreciate his careful descriptions and philosophical perspective. Highly recommended. Michael D. Cramer, Virginia Polytechnic Inst. & State Univ. Lib., Blacksburg
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 321 pages
• Publisher: Macmillan Pub Co (June 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0684184435
• ISBN-13: 978-0684184432
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.8 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,981,059 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful book from a great mind, February 14, 2000

By	D. Roberts "Hadrian12" (Battle Creek, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Harold Morwitz spent the majority of his career teaching microbiology & biophysics at Yale university. Last I heard, he was teaching at George Mason university. This is a splendid book which explores the many intricacies of our majestic and yet fragile world. Fans of the books of the late astronomer Carl Sagan will relish the writing style and wisdom of this fine fellow; I find many similarities between he and Morowitz. The book takes you on a journey out to sea where Morowizt ponders some of life's deeper questions. He also gives a detailed description of various constructs of the earth such as the hydrosphere, biosphere, lithosphere, etc. and how they all interact with one another. I would recommend this book to anyone with so much as a passing curiousity in science; even if he or she is not specifically interested in biology per-se. We could all learn a whole lot from this kindly gentleman, I think

5.0 out of 5 stars Local and global go hand in hand, September 20, 2005

By	Dr. Mohamed Taher (Toronto) - See all my reviews

Thinking locally and acting globally, or vice versa, are not any new Web-slogans.
This book published in 1987, already connected the threads of what is local (physical, personal touch) to global (biological, physiological, and metaphysical).
The book ends with its primary thesis:
Between experiencing cosmic joy and alleviating local pain there is a path that each can follow. It it is a narrow path, it is at least wide enough to walk on, just like the finger pier I am now about to traverse, beginning the return from cosmic concerns to the responsibilities ahead" (p. 303).