Masks of the Universe Changing Ideas on the Nature of the Cosmos [Paperback]

A 2003 synthesis of scientific, philosophical and religious issues in cosmology.In the ancient world philosophical issues dominated cosmology. In the Middle Ages theological issues ranked foremost. In recent times astronomy and the physical sciences have taken over. Yet every attempt to grasp the true nature of the universe creates a new mask. In every age people have pitied the universes of their ancestors, believing that they have at last discovered the full truth. Do we now stand at the threshold of knowing everything, or have we created yet another mask, doomed to fade like all the rest?In the ancient world philosophical issues dominated cosmology. In the Middle Ages theological issues ranked foremost. In recent times astronomy and the physical sciences have taken over. Yet every attempt to grasp the true nature of the universe creates a new mask. In every age people have pitied the universes of their ancestors, believing that they have at last discovered the full truth. Do we now stand at the threshold of knowing everything, or have we created yet another mask, doomed to fade like all the rest?In Masks of the Universe, Edward Harrison brings together fundamental scientific, philosophical and religious issues in cosmology and raises thought provoking questions. Philosophical issues dominated cosmology in the ancient world. Theological issues ranked foremost in the Middle Ages; astronomy and the physical sciences have taken over in more recent times. Yet every attempt to grasp the true nature of the universe creates a new mask, People have always pitied the universes of their ancestors, believing that their generation has at last discovered the real universe. Do we now stand at the threshold of knowing everything, or have we created yet another mask, doomed to fade like those preceding ours? Edward Harrison is Adjunct Professor of Astronomy, Steward Observatory, University of Arizona, and Emeritus Professor of Physics and Astronomy, University of MasslãÂ