Cosmic Evolution: The Rise of Complexity in Nature / Edition 1

by Eric J. Chaisson

Overview

We are connected to distant space and time not only by our imaginations but also through a common cosmic heritage. Emerging now from modern science is a unified scenario of the cosmos, including ourselves as sentient beings, based on the time-honored concept of change. From galaxies to snowflakes, from stars and planets to life itself, we are beginning to identify an underlying ubiquitous pattern penetrating the fabric of all the natural sciences—a sweepingly encompassing view of the order and structure of every known class of object in our richly endowed universe.

This is the subject of Eric Chaisson's new book. In Cosmic Evolution Chaisson addresses some of the most basic issues we can contemplate: the origin of matter and the origin of life, and the ways matter, life, and radiation interact and change with time. Guided by notions of beauty and symmetry, by the search for simplicity and elegance, by the ambition to explain the widest range of phenomena with the fewest possible principles, Chaisson designs for us an expansive yet intricate model depicting the origin and evolution of all material structures. He shows us that neither new science nor appeals to nonscience are needed to understand the impressive hierarchy of the cosmic evolutionary story, from quark to quasar, from microbe to mind.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780674009875
Publisher:	Harvard University Press
Publication date:	10/15/2002
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	274
Product dimensions:	5.69(w) x 8.88(h) x 0.75(d)

About the Author

Eric J. Chaisson is a Research Associate at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. He is the author of Cosmic Dawn, nominated for the National Book Award for distinguished science writing.

Table of Contents

Preface

Prologue: Overview of Cosmic Evolution

Introduction: The Nature of Change

Chapter One: Matter

Chapter Two: Radiation

Chapter Three: Life

Discussion: Evolution Broadly Considered

Epilogue: A Grand Synthesis

Symbols and Numerical Constants

Glossary

Notes

Works Cited

Further Reading

Index

About the Author

What People are Saying About This

Richard Wolfson

A fascinatingly synthetic book that unifies evolution from the Big Bang through biology and human culture. Chaisson is at once quantitative and poetic, grounding his work in physics while celebrating intelligence as 'the animated conduit through which the Universe comes to know itself.' Cosmic Evolution shows us a universe teeming with the complex products of evolution, including ourselves.
— Richard Wolfson, Professor of Physics, Middlebury College

Gerald Soffen

This century ushers in a new unified view of Nature. We can see that the mechanisms of the stars and the structure of bacteria are governed by the same fundamental processes. We can detect the link between the hottest fusion reactions in gamma bursters and the essential metabolic reactions which give rise to and sustain life. Eric Chaisson has long been one of our most passionate and articulate informants about this emerging conception of the cosmos. Cosmic Evolution tells this new story in language anyone can understand.
— Gerald Soffen, Senior Astrobiologist, NASA

E.O. Wilson

Using the leitmotif of rising complexity and order, Eric Chaisson delivers the epic of creation as understood by modern science, from microsecond zero to the origin of life on Earth. His command of the subject and clarity of exposition are admirable.

Dudley Herschbach

Chaisson conducts an intriguing tour over vast realms of time and space. A lucid and sprightly guide, he brings forth original and provocative observations, while gathering a host of wonders in his cosmic embrace.
— Dudley Herschbach, 1986 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry

Brian Fagan

Eric Chaisson has written a definitive synthesis of what he calls a golden age of astrophysics and biochemistry. Cosmic Evolution presents a dramatic new world view for the twenty-first century, which provides a potential guide for understanding the nature of all material things. Every scientist, indeed anyone interested in humanity's future, should read this masterly and unique book.
— Brian Fagan, University of California, Santa Barbara

Hubert Reeves

A superb synthesis. Chaisson convincingly shows that free energy processing rates spurred the growth of complexity in the cosmos. Highly recommended.
— Hubert Reeves, Astrophysicist, C.N.R.S. France

George Field

Eric Chaisson has thought deeply about the growth of complexity in the universe, as life and intelligence appear to have emerged from chaos. An astronomer whose lucid lectures draw a wide audience, Chaisson here tackles the issue head on, with conclusions that are as fascinating as life itself.
— George Field, Harvard University

Editorial Reviews

Eric Chaisson has written a definitive synthesis of what he calls a golden age of astrophysics and biochemistry. Cosmic Evolution presents a dramatic new world view for the twenty-first century, which provides a potential guide for understanding the nature of all material things. Every scientist, indeed anyone interested in humanity’s future, should read this masterly and unique book.

Brian Fagan

Surveys the grand scenario of cosmic evolution by examining natural changes among radiation, matter, and life within the context of big-bang cosmology. Using non-equilibrium thermodynamics and a suite of interdisciplinary arguments, the author follows the changes in energy within numerous well-known structures, including galaxies, stars, planets, and life.

The Astronomical Society of the Pacific

[Chaisson’s] discourse covers a wide range, from the physics of the early Universe to the origin and nature of life, touching on issues such as the ‘anthropic principle’ in cosmology, the thermodynamics of non-equilibrium systems, Darwinian views on the evolution of life seen in the context of present-day molecular biology, and issues of cultural development. Thus, he takes seriously the modern biological synthesis and also places it in its proper physical and cosmological context, emphasizing interesting causal links.

Nature - George Ellis

Chaisson’s project—the search for unifying patterns of change across the largest temporal and spatial scales—is a worthy one… [His] theory has the ring of rightness.

Daniel W. McShean Scientist

Eric Chaisson has thought deeply about the growth of complexity in the universe, as life and intelligence appear to have emerged from chaos. An astronomer whose lucid lectures draw a wide audience, Chaisson here tackles the issue head on, with conclusions that are as fascinating as life itself.

George Field

This century ushers in a new unified view of Nature. We can see that the mechanisms of the stars and the structure of bacteria are governed by the same fundamental processes. We can detect the link between the hottest fusion reactions in gamma bursters and the essential metabolic reactions which give rise to and sustain life. Eric Chaisson has long been one of our most passionate and articulate informants about this emerging conception of the cosmos. Cosmic Evolution tells this new story in language anyone can understand.

Gerald Soffen

A superb synthesis. Chaisson convincingly shows that free energy processing rates spurred the growth of complexity in the cosmos. Highly recommended.

Hubert Reeves

Chaisson conducts an intriguing tour over vast realms of time and space. A lucid and sprightly guide, he brings forth original and provocative observations, while gathering a host of wonders in his cosmic embrace.

Dudley Herschbach

A fascinatingly synthetic book that unifies evolution from the Big Bang through biology and human culture. Chaisson is at once quantitative and poetic, grounding his work in physics while celebrating intelligence as ‘the animated conduit through which the Universe comes to know itself.’ Cosmic Evolution shows us a universe teeming with the complex products of evolution, including ourselves.

Richard Wolfson

Chaisson argues that rising complexity can be explained…by the laws of nonequilibrium thermodynamics, without any need to postulate new kinds of science or mysticism… What is most original about Chaisson’s argument is his proposal of a quantitative way to measure complexity, and to plot the course of cosmic evolution using this measure.

Boston Globe - Chet Raymo

Using the leitmotif of rising complexity and order, Eric Chaisson delivers the epic of creation as understood by modern science, from microsecond zero to the origin of life on Earth. His command of the subject and clarity of exposition are admirable.

Edward O. Wilson

Chaisson’s book provides exciting new testimony to the increasing power of non-equilibrium thermodynamics to change how we see ourselves and the world.

Times Higher Education Supplement - Lynn Margulis

An illuminating book, and one that should appeal to both scientists and general readers… This is a book that will encourage a greater energy flow between astrophysics and bioscience.

New Scientist - John D. Barrow

So Chaisson defines life as an ‘open, coherent, space–time structure maintained far from thermodynamic equilibrium by a flow of energy through it.’ …Chaisson’s approach leaves one wondering, perhaps absurdly… In this creative, thought-provoking book, Chaisson shows how difficult even the most basic scientific question can turn out to be.

Charles Seife

[Chaisson's] discourse covers a wide range, from the physics of the early Universe to the origin and nature of life, touching on issues such as the 'anthropic principle' in cosmology, the thermodynamics of non-equilibrium systems, Darwinian views on the evolution of life seen in the context of present-day molecular biology, and issues of cultural development. Thus, he takes seriously the modern biological synthesis and also places it in its proper physical and cosmological context, emphasizing interesting causal links.--George Ellis "Nature"

An illuminating book, and one that should appeal to both scientists and general readers... This is a book that will encourage a greater energy flow between astrophysics and bioscience.--John D. Barrow "New Scientist"

Chaisson argues that rising complexity can be explained...by the laws of nonequilibrium thermodynamics, without any need to postulate new kinds of science or mysticism... What is most original about Chaisson's argument is his proposal of a quantitative way to measure complexity, and to plot the course of cosmic evolution using this measure.--Chet Raymo "Boston Globe" (12/19/2000 12:00:00 AM)

Chaisson's book provides exciting new testimony to the increasing power of non-equilibrium thermodynamics to change how we see ourselves and the world.--Lynn Margulis "Times Higher Education Supplement" (11/9/2001 12:00:00 AM)

Chaisson's project--the search for unifying patterns of change across the largest temporal and spatial scales--is a worthy one... [His] theory has the ring of rightness.--Daniel W. McShea "American Scientist" (11/1/2001 12:00:00 AM)

So Chaisson defines life as an 'open, coherent, space-time structure maintained far from thermodynamic equilibrium by a flow of energy through it.' ...Chaisson's approach leaves one wondering, perhaps absurdly... In this creative, thought-provoking book, Chaisson shows how difficult even the most basic scientific question can turn out to be.--Charles Seife "Wilson Quarterly"

A fascinatingly synthetic book that unifies evolution from the Big Bang through biology and human culture. Chaisson is at once quantitative and poetic, grounding his work in physics while celebrating intelligence as 'the animated conduit through which the Universe comes to know itself.' Cosmic Evolution shows us a universe teeming with the complex products of evolution, including ourselves.--Richard Wolfson, Professor of Physics, Middlebury College

A superb synthesis. Chaisson convincingly shows that free energy processing rates spurred the growth of complexity in the cosmos. Highly recommended.--Hubert Reeves, Astrophysicist, CNRS, France

Eric Chaisson has written a definitive synthesis of what he calls a golden age of astrophysics and biochemistry. Cosmic Evolution presents a dramatic new world view for the twenty-first century, which provides a potential guide for understanding the nature of all material things. Every scientist, indeed anyone interested in humanity's future, should read this masterly and unique book.--Brian Fagan, University of California, Santa Barbara

Surveys the grand scenario of cosmic evolution by examining natural changes among radiation, matter, and life within the context of big-bang cosmology. Using non-equilibrium thermodynamics and a suite of interdisciplinary arguments, the author follows the changes in energy within numerous well-known structures, including galaxies, stars, planets, and life.--The Astronomical Society of the Pacific

This century ushers in a new unified view of Nature. We can see that the mechanisms of the stars and the structure of bacteria are governed by the same fundamental processes. We can detect the link between the hottest fusion reactions in gamma bursters and the essential metabolic reactions which give rise to and sustain life. Eric Chaisson has long been one of our most passionate and articulate informants about this emerging conception of the cosmos. Cosmic Evolution tells this new story in language anyone can understand.--Gerald Soffen, Senior Astrobiologist, NASA

Using the leitmotif of rising complexity and order, Eric Chaisson delivers the epic of creation as understood by modern science, from microsecond zero to the origin of life on Earth. His command of the subject and clarity of exposition are admirable.--E. O. Wilson

Chaisson conducts an intriguing tour over vast realms of time and space. A lucid and sprightly guide, he brings forth original and provocative observations, while gathering a host of wonders in his cosmic embrace.--Dudley Herschbach, 1986 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry

Eric Chaisson has thought deeply about the growth of complexity in the universe, as life and intelligence appear to have emerged from chaos. An astronomer whose lucid lectures draw a wide audience, Chaisson here tackles the issue head on, with conclusions that are as fascinating as life itself.--George Field, Harvard University

From the Publisher

Chaisson’s project—the search for unifying patterns of change across the largest temporal and spatial scales—is a worthy one… [His] theory has the ring of rightness.

American Scientist - Daniel W. McShea

Using the leitmotif of rising complexity and order, Eric Chaisson delivers the epic of creation as understood by modern science, from microsecond zero to the origin of life on Earth. His command of the subject and clarity of exposition are admirable.

E. O. Wilson

Chaisson's book provides exciting new testimony to the increasing power of non-equilibrium thermodynamics to change how we see ourselves and the world.

Times Higher Education Supplement - Lynn Marguilis

Using the leitmotif of rising complexity and order, Eric Chaisson delivers the epic of creation as understood by modern science, from microsecond zero to the origin of life on Earth. His command of the subject and clarity of exposition are admirable.

E.O. Wilson

[Chaisson's] discourse covers a wide range, from the physics of the early Universe to the origin and nature of life, touching on issues such as the 'anthropic principle' in cosmology, the thermodynamics of non-equilibrium systems, Darwinian views on the evolution of life seen in the context of present-day molecular biology, and issues of cultural development. Thus, he takes seriously the modern biological synthesis and also places it in its proper physical and cosmological context, emphasizing interesting causal links.
— George Ellis

Nature

So Chaisson defines life as an "open, coherent, space- time structure maintained far from thermodynamic equilibrium by a flow of energy through it."…Chaisson's approach leaves one wondering, perhaps absurdly…In this creative, thought-provoking book, Chaisson shows how difficult even the most basic scientific question can turn out to be.
— Charles Seife

Wilson Quarterly

Chaisson's book provides exciting new testimony to the increasing power of non-equilibrium thermodynamics to change how we see ourselves and the world?
— Lynn Margulis

Times Higher Education Supplement

Chaisson's project—the search for unifying patterns of change across the largest temporal and spatial scales—is a worthy one... [His] theory has the ring of rightness?
— Daniel W. McShea

American Scientist

An illuminating book, and one that should appeal to both scientists and general readers ... This is a book that will encourage a greater energy flow between astrophysics and bioscience.
— John D. Barrow

New Scientist

Chaisson argues that rising complexity can be explained... by the laws of nonequilibrium thermodynamics, without any need to postulate new kinds of science or mysticism ... What is most original about Chaisson's argument is his proposal of a quantitative way to measure complexity, and to plot the course of cosmic evolution using this measure?
— Chet Raymo

Boston Globe