A Tear at the Edge of Creation: A Radical New Vision for Life in an Imperfect Universe

Ever more books on science are being published these days for the lay reader. This is a blessing, because it allows those of us who are not proficient in advanced mathematics to appreciate new perspectives that are emerging from the most recent scientific research. Perhaps more important still is that such books allow broader groups of readers to consider the impact of new theories on the myths of the past as well as upon our current set of beliefs. In my mind it is crucial that the widely held beliefs of human societies should remain informed and current rather than rigidly stuck alongside the beliefs of past generations.The Tear at the Edge of Creation by Marcelo Gleiser is a wonderful contribution to this category of non-fiction. The author is clear and direct in his explanation of current theory from physics to biology and he writes beautifully. In addition in this book he has provided an insightful philosophical perspective as well. He presents two serious themes: The first is that there is no grand design or purpose to the universe. And the second is that science has its own limitations; the search for a `final theory' is based upon a Platonic belief (or alternatively upon monotheistic religion which was influenced by neo-Platonic thought) that is unfounded. Both of these themes resonate with me due to the fact I have written about them in a book of my own, The Bridge, in chapters one and two respectively. I therefore found myself considering and comparing arguments throughout. But beyond such sweeping comparisons, Mr. Gleiser's book takes a very different trajectory. He has painstakingly laid out the evidence to demonstrate that the scientific search for a final theory, a new discovery in physics which would finally unify relativity and quantum mechanics is quite possibly chasing down a blind ally. The belief in a final theory which could explain the fundamental forces of nature is based in a belief in the symmetry of nature. Yet Gleiser argues that there is now ample evidence to suggest that the existence of matter and the presence of life on earth are possible only by virtue of asymmetry. (Hence he has shown through detailed scientific evidence what I myself presented as philosophical propositions.) The intention is not to discourage scientific research. On the contrary science has offered tremendous knowledge of the processes of nature and will continue to do so. But we should not expect that we are even close to discovering encompassing and simple models which will illuminate these processes completely. Rather, as the author says, `we can only know what we can measure.'Later in the book the author entertains the question of whether life is spread throughout the universe and whether we might find intelligent life on other planets. His argument on this topic is well presented, but a more in depth inquiry into this question is available in a recent book by Paul Davies, The Eerie Silence. In the final chapters Mr Gleiser encourages readers, whether scientists or laypersons, to abandon the view that the universe is the product of a grand design or that it is imbued with purpose. Rather we should accept that the universe itself and we in its tow are the products of chance imbalances in the workings of nature. We should not feel threatened by this knowledge but rather rejoice in it. And we should assume responsibility for preserving this chance `gift' of nature. I couldn't agree more, but I am a little disappointed that the author failed to expand upon and develop this final theme.David Hillstrom

This is a very readable and straightforward account for anyone who does not have a science background. Gleiser has a clear style that is simple but not simplistic and the chapters are short and easy to follow. The thesis of the book follows Gleiser's personal experience of becomming disillusioned with the assumption of much theoretical physics and mathematics: that the world is somehow perfectly symmetrical. Anything that does not fit into this perfect symmetry must somehow be wrong. Nothing could be further from reality. Nature is not perfect and it came as a surprise to Gleiser to discover this. He explains why he has changed his mind and then moves on to show that it is asymmetry in nature that is the source of organisation and creative processes. As he explains, perfection leads to nothing at all. In this he is following in the footsteps of people who have long had to deal with nature from a practical perspective - engineers, geologists, biologists and chemists to name but a few, who already ignore the wilder fantasies of theoretical physicists. Gleiser explains that string theory, unification theory (theories of everything) which are the holy grails of modern physics, are but illusions, and sometimes dangerous ones at that. He also explains his research into trying to understand the origins of life and just how complex that must have been: but it all happened because of asymmetry. The book is written from a very personal perspective but is none the worse for that, indeed it makes it easier to follow. For those who enjoy it you might also like to read Pythagoras' Trousers by M. Wertheim which will give you an insight into the history of the idea of perfection derived from the study of mathematics. What both books teach is that mathematics is a description of nature, but not a literal one, something which many mathematicians and physicists have stiil got to learn.