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George Johnson

Fire in the Mind: Science, Faith, and the Search for Order Paperback – September 17, 1996

by George Johnson (Author)

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Are there really laws governing the universe? Or is the order we see a mere artifact of the way evolution wired the brain? And is what we call science only a set of myths in which quarks, DNA, and information fill the role once occupied by gods? These questions lie at the heart of George Johnson's audacious exploration of the border between science and religion, cosmic accident and timeless law. Northern New Mexico is home both to the most provocative new enterprises in quantum physics, information science, and the evolution of complexity and to the cosmologies of the Tewa Indians and the Catholic Penitentes. As it draws the reader into this landscape, juxtaposing the systems of belief that have taken root there, Fire in the Mind into a gripping intellectual adventure story that compels us to ask where science ends and religion begins.

"A must for all those seriously interested in the key ideas at the frontier of scientific discourse."--Paul Davies

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Science writer Johnson visits cutting-edge scientific think tanks and ponders the thin lines between order and chaos, fact and belief.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

A brilliant and powerful exploration of the nature of humanity and the way we, in diversity, see our world and our place in it. A joy to read. -- Roger Lewin, Los Angeles Times Book Review

An excellent book. -- Stephen Jay Gould, The New York Times

Fluid poetry. . . .This is a book to read meditatively, happily and to rejoice that such a writer exists. -- Anne Fulk, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

George Johnson's masterly account provides some of the best science-writing I have come across in a long time. Fast-paced and thrilling. A must for all those seriously interested in the key ideas at the frontier of scientific discourse. -- Paul Davies

In the spirit of "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance." Compression is the essence of science [and] Johnson proceeds to compress with utter clarity, almost casually tap-dancing his way through particle physics, quantum theory, cosmology and evolutionary biology. . . . "Fire in the Mind" is a connoisseur's gazeteer. . . . Vibrant and exhilarating and even inspirational . . . a god's-eye view of the terrain. -- Ian Watson, New Scientist

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Product details

Paperback: 400 pages

Publisher: Vintage; Reprint edition (September 17, 1996)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 067974021X

ISBN-13: 978-0679740216

Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 1 x 8 inches

Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)

Average Customer Review: 19 customer reviews

Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,238,569 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

#2021 in Science & Religion

#379 in Creationism

#1931 in Sociology & Religion

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19 customer reviews
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new mexico george johnson santa fe institute native americans science writer great book johnson in this book universe evolution physics questions complexity patterns complex emergence faith quantum matter scientific certainly

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Hazel R. Weaver
Five Stars
August 22, 2017
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
good reading
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Bert R. Onstott
A wonderful read!
May 9, 2001
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
This was a wonderful book - couldn't put it down! The contrast between the Tewa indians and the scientists at Los Alamos made a wonderful backdrop from which to explore the frontiers of current thinking in cosmology and physics. George Johnson is a great writer. Perhaps being from New Mexico enhanced my enjoyment. Anyway, I loved it!
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Jamie Black
Five Stars
February 6, 2015
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
Love the book
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Victor Aral
A great book by a great writer
February 9, 2013
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
What is endlessly fascinating about this book -- which lays out the human search for patterns and meaning -- is the quality of the writing. Johnson can turn a sentence like nobody's business. Highly recommended.
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Turkish Rabbi
Excellent
December 26, 2012
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
Great thesis tying the human need to find structure and order to science and religion. Atheists can learn from the religion drivers, and religious folks can have a succinct and intelligent review of science.
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worksalright
Great book for moderately advanced readers
October 10, 2014
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
This is a great book. It's well written, laid out logically. However, the starting point is that you understand the physics. If you're looking to learn about the science, it will be way over your head. I'm meeting with my friend, the physics professor, who can hopefully explain it to me.
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Nick Robitaille
Three Stars
July 28, 2015
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
Holy science
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William F Harrison
A literary spectacular
February 9, 2002
Format: Paperback
George Johnson has taken on some of the most difficult issues and questions woven into the fabric of science and religion and seperates them into their component threads to be examined by ordinary readers. He explores various world views as seen from the mountains and plateaus of northern New Mexico, truly a Land of Enchantment. The vast majority of modern human beings take most of the information we process each day on faith, no less our ideas of science than our religious verities. Johnson explores these faiths in the context of the pueblos, mountains, cities and research institutions of this ancient land, and presents each of them with no hint of condescension or disparagement. A truly remarkable feat given his subject matter which ranges from bar fights in remote villages to sunsets brilliantly firing the walls of the Sangre de Cristo mountians to the rituals and traditions of the Catholic Church and the Assemblios de Dios, to those of the Tewas and the myths and rites of the most primative peoples of the region. This is the best book exploring the escatologies of science and religion that I have ever read. It makes me anxious to retire so that I can attend lectures at the Santa Fe Institute and explore the mesmerizing landscape of nortern New Mexico. Read it. You will never again think of the struggle between science and religion in the same way.
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Fire in the Mind: Science, Faith, and the Search for Order Paperback – September 17, 1996

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