Description
Book SynopsisLeading scientists, philosophers, historians, and public intellectuals debate the big questions. These public dialogues model constructive engagement between the sciences and the humanities—and show why intellectual cooperation is necessary to shape our collective future.
Trade ReviewSome of the most interesting thinkers of our time are here brought together in dialogues and conversations that show them all thinking aloud, in the present and at the cutting edge (or beyond), about some of the most important issues of our time. The results are always entertaining and insightful, and often will spark new ideas in readers. A great contribution to the discourse. -- Kim Stanley Robinson, Hugo and Nebula Award winner, author of
The Ministry for the FutureThese talks and Marcelo Gleiser’s commentary offer readers a thrilling vista of the most important scientific, cultural, and ethical issues facing human civilization. This book is not to be missed by anyone wanting a broad overview of the questions we must answer to move forward as a species. -- Adam Frank, professor of physics and astronomy at the University of Rochester, Carl Sagan medalist, author of
Light of the Stars: Alien Worlds and the Fate of the EarthLively and enlightening dialogues that engage complementary perspectives on deep issues—an enjoyable way to learn timeless and topical ideas. -- Steven Pinker, Johnstone Professor of Psychology, Harvard University, author of
Rationality: What It Is, Why It Seems Scarce, Why It MattersIn
Great Minds Don’t Think Alike, leading intellectual Marcelo Gleisner brings together prominent scientists and humanists to discuss some of the key questions of our age. Not only do these conversations provide important new insights into pressing issues, they also demonstrate the power of cross disciplinary perspectives, and offer a model of civil and fruitful dialogue. -- Peter Harrison, author of
The Territories of Science and ReligionTable of ContentsIntroduction
The Dialogues1.The Mystery of Consciousness: A Dialogue Between a Neuroscientist and a Philosopher, by David Chalmers and Antonio Damasio
2. The Nature of Reality: A Dialogue Between a Buddhist Scholar and a Theoretical Physicist, by Sean Carroll and B. Alan Wallace
3. Future of Intelligence: Human, Machine, and Extraterrestrial: A Dialogue Between an Astronomer and a Philosopher, by Patricia Churchland and Jill Tarter
4. The Nature of Spirituality: A Dialogue on Science and Religion, by Rebecca Goldstein and Alan Lightman
5. The Mystery of Time: A Dialogue Between a Science Historian and a Physicist, by Jimena Canales and Paul Davies
6. Cyborgs, Futurists, and Transhumanism: A Dialogue Between a Neuroscientist and an Author, by Ed Boyden and Mark O’Connell
7. On Human and Planetary Longevity: A Dialogue Between an Environmentalist and a Doctor, by Elizabeth Kolbert and Siddhartha Mukherjee
8. On Being Human: A Dialogue on Literary and Scientific Perspectives, by Jeremy DeSilva, David Grinspoon, and Tasneem Zehra Husain
Where Do We Go from Here?
Acknowledgments
Contributors
Index
