[Galileo] Book announcement

[John Kirk]

Announcement of interest to members of AAHPSSS

CSIRO Publishing have recently (October 2007) brought out a book of mine - Science and Certainty - which I believe will be of interest to the History and Philosophy of Science community. In broad terms it aims to explain, for the benefit of the educated layperson, and for students of the history and philosophy of science, just what it is that they are signing up to if they decide to accept the scientific world-view. It deals inter alia with the origin of the cosmos as we observe it today, and with how stars, chemical elements, planets, life, and ultimately Homo sapiens, came to be. The fundamental nature of physical reality, as revealed by quantum mechanics, and the physical basis of conscious reality, are addressed. Environmentalism (including Gaia theory), its historical and philosophical basis, and the crucial role that Science must play in addressing its concerns, are discussed in detail. Finally, an account is given of the implications of Science for some of the various "-isms" to be found in the human belief system - theism/atheism, creationism, feminism, animal liberationism, genetic determinism. 

The publisher's announcement of the book may be accessed on www.publish.csiro.au/pid/5690.htm

                         John Kirk

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Dr John T.O. Kirk
Kirk Marine Optics
PO Box 3117
Murrumbateman, NSW 2582

Phone: 02 6227 0081
Fax:    02 6227 5871
Mobile: 0410 511 938

Email:    jtokirk at ozemail.com.au
Website:    www.kirkmarineoptics.com
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