God’s Planet

by Owen Gingerich, Randy Isaac (Foreword)

With exoplanets being discovered daily, Earth is still the only planet we know of that is home to creatures who seek a coherent explanation for the structure, origins, and fate of the universe, and of humanity’s place within it. Today, science and religion are the two major cultural entities on our planet that share this goal of coherent understanding, though their interpretation of evidence differs dramatically. Many scientists look at the known universe and conclude we are here by chance. The renowned astronomer and historian of science Owen Gingerich looks at the same evidence―along with the fact that the universe is comprehensible to our minds―and sees it as proof for the planning and intentions of a Creator-God. He believes that the idea of a universe without God is an oxymoron, a self-contradiction. God’s Planet exposes the fallacy in thinking that science and religion can be kept apart.

Gingerich frames his argument around three Was Copernicus right, in dethroning Earth from its place at the center of the universe? Was Darwin right, in placing humans securely in an evolving animal kingdom? And was Hoyle right, in identifying physical constants in nature that seem singularly tuned to allow the existence of intelligent life on planet Earth? Using these episodes from the history of science, Gingerich demonstrates that cultural attitudes, including religious or antireligious beliefs, play a significant role in what passes as scientific understanding. The more rigorous science becomes over time, the more clearly God’s handiwork can be comprehended.

Genres: Science, Philosophy, Religion, Nonfiction

192 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2014

About the author

Professor Owen Gingerich was a US astronomer. He served at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory and as Professor of Astronomy and History of Science at Harvard University. He held memberships with the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the American Philosophical Society, and the International Academy of the History of Science. Gingerich published over 500 technical or educational articles and reviews, along with writing more popularly on astronomy and the history of astronomy in books, encyclopedias, and journals.

Gingerich taught at Harvard University until his retirement in 2000. He continues to be a widely recognized authority on the Renaisannce astronomers Johannes Kepler and Nicolaus Copernicus, and on the French astronomer Charles Messier.

Asteroid 2658: Gingerich, discovered on February 13, 1980, at the Harvard College Observatory, was named in his honor.

Reviews

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good historical reflections on how the knower is always bound up in the knowing, by a leading scientist from Harvard, who also happens to be a Mennonite.

[مهدی محمدی]

کتاب رو با ترجمه‌ی فارسی میثم توکلی از نشر پارسیک خوندم.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could grasp the second chapter better than the first or third chapters--the one on Darwin. I was lost in the Copernicus chapter because the astonomy was beyond my understanding. Also the last chapter on Hoyle with its ideas of other universes was beyond my understanding. However, I do understand that Gingerish posits a final cause of a God who is the mind behind our wonderful complicated world. At least I think that is what he is saying, I wish my mind was capable of grasping everything he had to say--or that my previous knowledge opened my mind to his words.

[Hugo Geovanny AGUILAR · Rating 3 out of 5]

Libro sencillo de leer, lleno de interesantes anécdotas y pensamientos propios del autor. No es un libro apasionante pero vale la pena leerlo para entender los puntos de vista del autor, sobretodo, su justificación del fine-tuning.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

This little book was quite enjoyable, with three chapters based on lectures on Copernicus, Darwin, and Hoyle. He looks at their ideas in the context of the history of science and considers how their ideas interacted with religious ideas as well. Gingerich uses the history of these ideas to critique the ideas of his late friend Stephen Jay Gould that religion and science are "non-overlapping magisteria," and is more interested in exploring the overlaps.

[Tim Stafford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Copernicus, Darwin and Hoyle... how their proposals were deliberated and decided. The overlapping magisteria of science and faith/philosophy. Very fluently written, deceptively simple. Lots of very interesting details about these three and a few others besides. A very likable book that is highly appreciative of science while encouraging skepticism about the claims scientists sometimes make.

[Marty Troyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting thesis.
It never revved up to the level I anticipated. But it did make some great points. If you're interested in how culture informs and can effect science, this should be on your list.

I wasn't disappointed, but it did leave me wanting more.

Marty Troyer
Author, The Gospel Next Door

[Mario Marais · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating science history that enhances the understanding of the scientific and religious context of what has been labelled as classical battles between science and religion. I may not agree with Owen, but respect his nuanced views.

[Philip Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

The non-overlapping magisteria actually overlap in some cases. An interesting but non-essential read.

[Bryan Neuschwander · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brief but fascinating.