The Varieties of Scientific Experience: A Personal View of the Search for God

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Overview

Carl Sagan's prophetic vision of the tragic resurgence of fundamentalism and the hope-filled potential of the next great development in human spirituality

The late great astronomer and astrophysicist describes his personal search to understand the nature of the sacred in the vastness of the cosmos. Exhibiting a breadth of intellect nothing short of astounding, Sagan presents his views on a wide range of topics, including the likelihood of intelligent life on other planets, creationism and so-called intelligent design, and a new concept of science as "informed worship." Originally presented at the centennial celebration of the famous Gifford Lectures in ...

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Overview

Carl Sagan's prophetic vision of the tragic resurgence of fundamentalism and the hope-filled potential of the next great development in human spirituality

The late great astronomer and astrophysicist describes his personal search to understand the nature of the sacred in the vastness of the cosmos. Exhibiting a breadth of intellect nothing short of astounding, Sagan presents his views on a wide range of topics, including the likelihood of intelligent life on other planets, creationism and so-called intelligent design, and a new concept of science as "informed worship." Originally presented at the centennial celebration of the famous Gifford Lectures in Scotland in 1985 but never published, this book offers a unique encounter with one of the most remarkable minds of the twentieth century.

Editorial Reviews

From Barnes & Noble
In 1985, Carl Sagan (1934-1996) delivered the Centennial Gifford Lecture in Natural Theology. He honored this grand occasion by offering a frank, far-ranging discussion of his views on science, religion, and the mysteries of life. With the informality and candor that helped earn him his fame, the Pulitzer Prize–winning author describes the evolution of his own ideas about God and explains his concept of science as "informed worship." Published on the tenth anniversary of the astrophysicist's death, The Varieties of Scientific Experience seems even more relevant now than it did to its original audience.
Wray Herbert
Yet this is not a dour book. Far from it. Sagan was fundamentally an optimist, and The Varieties of Scientific Experience is mostly a joyful, celebratory meditation on nature and the expansiveness of the human spirit. The volume was published on the 10th anniversary of Sagan's death in December 1996. For those who have sorely missed his clear and wise voice, it will be received as a gift.
— The Washington Post
More Reviews (2) Fewer Reviews
Library Journal
On the tenth anniversary of Sagan's death, this work pulls together the views of an outstanding scientist on an outstanding topic of our time-science and religion. Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
Kirkus Reviews
Sagan's 1985 Gifford lectures, edited by his widow. Launched in 1888, this Scottish university lecture series invites speakers to explore how the natural world illuminates issues of theology. The noted American astronomer took it as an opportunity for a broad examination of the relationship between science and religion. Drawing on Thomas Carlyle's dictum that wonder is the basis of worship, Sagan begins with a series of astronomical images, displaying the vast scope of the universe as revealed by science. He then cites Thomas Paine, noting that our idea that God is intimately concerned with the doings of creatures on one tiny planet betrays a limited conception of the deity. Beginning with Copernicus, science has steadily demonstrated the insignificance of Earth and its creatures in the grand design of the universe. In his view, the adoption by some cosmologists of the anthropic principle-the argument that the universe appears to be designed to support intelligent life-is a retreat from the lessons of Copernicus and his scientific heirs. Sagan extends this line of argument by examining several ideas common to his work: scientific evidence for the chemical origins of life on Earth, the likelihood of multiple inhabited worlds and the question of possible contact with aliens. (He remains skeptical that such contact has occurred.) He examines the "God hypothesis" from the viewpoint of science, noting that an omnipotent God could have left an early statement of some modern scientific discovery as unambiguous proof of His existence. The lectures end on a sober note, with Sagan considering the possibility of humankind's destroying itself in a nuclear war. A lively set of exchanges with audiencemembers is a welcome bonus. A fitting memorial to one of the great popularizers of scientific thought. Agent: Katherine Cluverius/ICM

Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780641973451
  • Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)
  • Publication date: 11/6/2007
  • Pages: 304
  • Product dimensions: 5.40 (w) x 9.10 (h) x 0.90 (d)

Meet the Author

Carl Sagan was Professor of Astronomy and Space Sciences and Director of the Laboratory for Planetary Studies at Cornell University. He played a leading role in the Mariner, Viking, and Voyager spacecraft expeditions to the planets, for which he received the NASA medals for Exceptional Scientific Achievement. Dr. Sagan received the Pulitzer Prize and the highest awards of both the National Academy of Sciences and the National Science Foundation, and many other awards, for his contributions to science, literature, education, and the preservation of the environment. His book Cosmos (accompanying his Emmy- and Peabody Award-winning television series of the same name) was the bestselling science book ever published in the English language, and his bestselling novel, Contact, was turned into a major motion picture.

Table of Contents


Editor's Introduction     ix
Author's Introduction     xvii
Carl Sagan's 1985 Gifford Lectures
Nature and Wonder: A Reconnaissance of Heaven     1
The Retreat from Copernicus: A Modern Loss of Nerve     33
The Organic Universe     63
Extraterrestrial Intelligence     105
Extraterrestrial Folklore: Implications for the Evolution of Religion     125
The God Hypothesis     147
The Religious Experience     169
Crimes Against Creation     191
The Search     213
Selected Q & A     223
Acknowledgments     261
Figure Captions     265
Index     275

Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4.5
( 38 )

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See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 38 Customer Reviews

  • Posted April 11, 2009

    more from this reviewer

    Sagan as Sagan by Sagan at the Gifford Lectures and presented in print as it was spoken.

    I could carefully choose my words for an extreme amount of time and still I would fall incredibly short of Sagan's magically spoken ones.

    Other books of his have more scientific information;others have more compelling logic to religious fallibility; others have more purpose and awe, yet this is his own opinion in his own voice meticulously recorded from old audio.

    If you want to "feel" what Sagan thought, this is for you. If you want a better understanding of the Cosmos or our own pale blue dot, another of his wondrous books is what you seek.

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted December 19, 2006

    A Great Writer

    I found this book to be very entertaining, enlightening, and informational. I always admired Carl Sagan when he was alive and was thrilled to find out that this 10-year anniversary book was published. Carl Sagan explains his viewpoint on different issues about the universe, life, and God. He explains things in simple terms (at least he tries to most of the time). I would definitely recommend this book.

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted June 26, 2009

    more from this reviewer

    Amazing

    I was never able to put into words the ideas I had in my head about the combination of science and religion. This book helped me piece together my own opinion I was dying to be able to organize.

    It's his personal views and they enlightening to any mind.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted March 31, 2009

    Very enlightening!

    This book is amazingly easy to read even though the concept and subject matter are hard to grasp. The format is interesting because it is the actual transcripts of the lectures Carl Sagan gave to university students. The language he used is clear and understandable for any layman - yet still is mind-blowing in its ability to portray how vast the universe truly is - and how powerful the laws of physics are that hold it all together. I have a much better understanding now of how the universe works - and what our place is in it...

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 20, 2011

    Highly Recommended!

    In this book, Carl Sagan discusses UFOs, God, Astronomy, Religion, Science, and certain aspects of human psychology.

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