The Fifth Miracle The Search for the Origin and Meaning of Life, Paul Davies. (Hardcover 0684837994)

Search - The Fifth Miracle : The Search for the Origin and Meaning of Life

The Fifth Miracle The Search for the Origin and Meaning of Life
Author: Paul Davies

How and where did life begin? Is it a chemical fluke, unique to Earth, or the product of intriguingly bio-friendly laws governing the entire universe? In his latest far-reaching book, The Fifth Miracle, internationally acclaimed physicist and writer Paul Davies confronts one of science's great outstanding mysteries -- the origin of life. ... more » Davies shows how new research hints that the crucible of life lay deep within Earth's hot crust, and not in a "warm little pond," as first suggested by Charles Darwin. Bizarre microbes discovered dwelling in the underworld and around submarine volcanic vents are thought to be living fossils. This discovery has transformed scientists' expectations for life on Mars and elsewhere in the universe. Davies stresses the key role that the bombardment of the planets by giant comets and asteroids has played in the origin and evolution of life, arguing that these "deep impacts" delivered the raw material for biology, but also kept life confined to its subterranean haven for millions of years. Recently, scientists have uncovered tantalizing clues that life may have existed and may still exist -- elsewhere in the universe. The Fifth Miracle recounts the discovery in Antarctica of a meteorite from Mars (ALH84001) that may contain traces of life. Three and a half billion years ago, Mars resembled Earth. It was warm and wet and could have supported primitive organisms. Davies believes that the red planet may still harbor microbes in thermally heated rocks deep below the Martian permafrost. He goes on to describe a still more startling scenario: If life once existed on Mars, might it have originated there and traveled to Earth inside meteorites blasted into space by cosmic impacts? Conversely, did life spread from Earth to Mars? Could microbes have journeyed even farther afield inside comets? Davies builds on the latest scientific discoveries and theories to address the larger question: What, exactly, is life? Davies shows that the living call is an information-processing system that uses a sophisticated mathematical code, and he argues that the secret of life lies not with exotic chemistry but with the emergence of information-based complexity. He then goes on to ask: Is life the inevitable by-product of physical laws, as many scientists maintain, or an almost miraculous accident? Are we alone in the universe, or will life emerge on all Earthlike planets? And if there is life elsewhere in the universe, is it preordained to evolve toward greater complexity and intelligence? On the answers to these deep questions hinges the ultimate purpose of mankind -- who we are and what our place might be in the unfolding drama of the cosmos.

ISBN-13: 9780684837994
ISBN-10: 0684837994
Publication Date: 3/4/1999
Pages: 304
Rating:

Currently 3.6/5 Stars.

3.6 stars, based on 6 ratings

Publisher: Simon Schuster
Book Type: Hardcover
Other Versions: Paperback
Members Wishing: 0
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Gerhard O. (nccorthu) reviewed The Fifth Miracle : The Search for the Origin and Meaning of Life on 5/28/2011 + 569 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 1

A very thorough book on how life came to be. A great book for anyone interested learn about the beginnings here on Earth. Well documented. Many facts that many of us not heard about, and theories that quite plausible.

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Ruby J. (rjlettuces) reviewed The Fifth Miracle : The Search for the Origin and Meaning of Life on 1/4/2012 + 14 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 1

Very very thought provoking. It is relatively easy to say that you believe in evolution. But just try to explain how that very first living cell happened...that's a lot tougher. The author explains in some detail just how hard that would be. But then since it obviously happened somehow or somewhere he explains some of the possible ways for "biogenesis" to have taken place. Obviously, no one knows for sure but there are some very interesting theories.

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