The book
From Stars to
Consciousness
An objective view of human life experience — one unbroken physical chain
from the early universe to the moment a person becomes aware of being a person.
THE BOOK
One story, told end to end
The Appendix takes a closer look at an important question that remained after the discovery of DNA: how does the DNA containing the blueprint for an entire organism communicate that information from the cell nucleus to direct the production of proteins? It also offers a fascinating example of how cellular biology can uncover and establish evidence for processes that cannot be observed directly, even with advanced instruments.
At its center is an experiment regarded by some as one of the most beautiful experiments in biology. The Appendix explores the logic and significance of this experiment, drawing on the original scientific account by Sydney Brenner. Although challenging, this section gives readers a deeper appreciation of the research behind the book and demonstrates that its exploration goes beyond information commonly known or repeated by experts.
Paperback
FORMAT
Add pages
EXTENT
Add ISBN
ISBN-13
Science
CATEGORY
Inside the book
Contents
Twelve chapters, read straight through in an evening or two. No jargon left
unexplained, and an appendix on the experiment the whole argument rests on.
Prologue
Introduction
I
Stars
cosmology
II
The Earth’s Chemical Elements
nucleosynthesis
III
The Origin of Life
abiogenesis
IV
Viruses, Bacteria, and Eukaryotes
the tree of life
V
Multicellular Organisms
complexity
VI
Evolution of Neurons and Brains
nervous systems
VII
Evolution of the Human Brain
hominins
VIII
The Evolution of Language
speech and meaning
IX
The Modern Human Brain
architecture
X
Current Views of Consciousness
the theories
XI
From Fetus to the End of Childhood
development
XII
From Puberty to Adulthood
identity and purpose
Conclusion
Appendix: The Brenner Jacob Meselson Experiment
Illustration Credits
About the Author
From the readers
“A book I will want to,
and need to, go back to”
A very readable and enjoyable book. As a physics professor I was impressed by the way the author sticks to scientific facts and logic in building the case for the development of today’s physical world and, ultimately, human consciousness. I delighted in the parts that I thought I knew but still had something to learn about.
— Erich Ippen · Professor of Physics
This fascinating book is a journey, using scientific evidence developed over many years, from the Big Bang Theory to consciousness. It presents difficult concepts in science and philosophy in a simple enough way that non scientists can understand and enjoy
anonymous
Highly recommend – this is a fascinating read. It takes you on a journey through the biggest scientific discoveries in our natural world and human development and weaves them together concisely to explore and explain consciousness in a way never done before. Grounded, accessible, and thoughtfully concise – it makes for a quick, engaging read despite the breadth of topics.
Maya Reti