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Genesis of the Cosmos: The Ancient Science of Continuous Creation

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Provides compelling evidence that creation myths from the dawn of civilization correspond to cutting edge astronomical discoveries

• Exposes the contradictions in current cosmological theory and offers a scientific basis for the ancient myths and esoteric lore that encode a theory of continuous creation

• By the scientist who was the first to disprove the Big Bang theory on the basis of observational data

Recent developments in theoretical physics, including systems theory and chaos theory, are challenging long-held mechanistic views of the universe. Many thinkers have speculated that the remnants of an ancient science survive today in mythology and esoteric lore, but until now the scientific basis for this belief has remained cloaked in mystery. Paul LaViolette reveals the remarkable parallels between the cutting edge of scientific thought and creation myths from the dawn of civilization. With a scientific sophistication rare among mythologists, LaViolette deciphers the forgotten cosmology of ancient lore in a groundbreaking scientific tour de force. In direct, nontechnical language, he shows how these myths encode a theory of cosmology in which matter is continually growing from seeds of order that emerge spontaneously from the surrounding subquantum chaos.

Exposing the contradictions that bedevil the big bang theory, LaViolette offers both the specialist and the general reader a controversial and highly stimulating critique of prevailing misconceptions about the seldom-questioned superiority of modern science over ancient cosmology. By restoring and reanimating this ancient scientific worldview, Genesis of the Cosmos leads us beyond the restrictive metaphors of modern science and into a new science for the 21st century.

384 pages, Paperback

First published April 15, 2004

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About the author

Paul A. LaViolette

18 books28 followers
He received his BA in Physics from Johns Hopkins, his MBA from the University of Chicago, and PhD from Portland State University and is currently president of the Starburst Foundation.
He has published many original books and papers in physics, astronomy, climatology, systems theory, and psychology.

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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Profile Image for Nathan.
117 reviews24 followers
June 18, 2019
Few books have made me rethink my most basic assumptions about the nature of reality. Especially in regards to cosmological theories that seem too entrenched to even question. The big bang, black holes, dark matter, even an expanding universe, are held by most as such basic truths that we never consider other theories that may fit observable data even more accurately, while presenting almost none of the paradoxes of modern cosmological thinking. In addition to some hard science proposals, the author also draws parallels between these alternate theories and ancient creation myths and sciences. From Babylonian to Chinese to Egyptian myths, all the way through Astrology and the Tarot, a pattern of striking similarities can be seen to pervade them all. This book has truly changed the confidence I have in modern cosmology, and opens up many more possibilities that are a joy to consider.
Profile Image for Jonathan Hockey.
Author 2 books25 followers
April 22, 2021
Quite a convincing alternative cosmological account, guided by a whole new approach to physics called subquantum kinetics. At times I feel that the astrological and other esoteric connections, though they may have some merit, only take away from the purely physical science based ideas, but this is part of the account. For instance, the notions of tired light and some of his criticisms of the big bang theory, black holes, closed systems and theories such as special relativity, he backs up with strong empirical support, regardless of what you think of the more esoteric speculations. I think in one physics area I do disagree, which is in his suggestion of going back to Newtonian absolute space. We can criticise the finer points of relativity without needing to go back to this notion. And I think we should do this, because a relational view of space and time can be salvaged from special relativity, if not perhaps from aspects of general relativity. The ether that LaViolette refers to as an environment or open system underlying the cosmos from which stars and all matter draw their genic energy from, can be a real thing, without needing to postulate an absolute space container or arena, this latter is part of the closed systems mechanical approach that he rightfully criticises in other areas.

If LaViolette is only part way correct regarding his different view of what is going on at the center of galaxies, and with tired light as explanation for red shift rather than expanding universe, then it will require significant paradigm shifts in physical science, and I do feel that Barbour's Janus point is perhaps groping towards some of these same ideas from a very different angle, with the common realisation that the universe as a whole cannot be coherently considered as a closed system, but must be considered as an open system. The suggestion is that the center of the galaxy is more like a vibrant pulsating heart, sending out regular wave bursts of matter and energy out in to the galaxy, rather than a cold, dark, lifeless black hole. If correct, it would turn our understanding of our place in the cosmos, and of what the cosmos basically is on a physical level, completely on its head.
Profile Image for Nicole.
12 reviews
July 21, 2013
GENESIS of the COSMOS: Paul A. LaViolette

Violette the posits the theory that ancient creations stories hint at the science of how the universe was created. I believe that we humans know what the "truth of things" is, but our lives here on Earth distract us and veil it from us. It would be interesting to see what concepts are truely universal among the stories and the cultures of the earth.

Question: Is it that there was an intelligent culture before the time of these creation myths who understood the actual science of creation and created stories to pass th information on to future generations. Or Is the coding of all things preset within us and it comes out even in our stories. This would align with the idea of our universal intelligence. That as time progresses and we move through the earth in our lives that someday in the end of time we will evolve as one being equivalent to God. As the possible mate to create an new race of being. Life continuely evolving.

Possible universal concepts:
Kindness/fairness
Good/bad
Immortality

The science of system genesis
General system theory
Esoteric physics
Predator-prey systems: the ever spinning creation destruction cycle.
Birth, death, resurrection, birth.

What is interesting to me is not how the past relates to basic science
but the face that history, and life and science and almost aspects of
us are cyclical we spiral upward. The tarot, astrology, religious
history and myths. The link between spirituality and science seems to
have always been, building upon each other, using each other and
waring with each other.

The first section deals with lots of complicated science stuff that
seems to repeat the same theme of the balance between order and
disorder in all things.
Yin/yang, predator/prey,
energy-expending/order-building,
Earth/sky, male/female,
reaction/diffusion,
birth/death, Creation/destruction
Order creation/entropy
Order/disorder Improvement/Maintenance

Continuous Movement of all things in the universe is the constant
unchanging reality. We as a people resist and rebel at the stagnant.
We abhor death because it's finality offends us. It is Un-natural.
Death as the end is beyond our comprehension, but acknowledging life
beyond death gives us peace. Inner knowledge of our continued
existence holds such appeal it must be considered.

What causes the switch from one to another, from order toward
disorder, then back.
And think on our equal opposing belief's in an "end and beginning" to
"no end and no beginning"
P55 big bang - nothing exists to impart the initial impulse.

Why wouldn't the same concepts in science follow all aspects of being,
physical, mental and emotional

The theme of the Messiah is repeated through out history. Why?
Life itself follows this pattern: birth - death - risen to heaven. To
be born again.

I have always believed that the stories of the bible in their
truthfulness were designed to help us understand concepts otherwise
incomprehensible to us at the time they were passed down. The earth,
created by God in 6 days, is supremely simplistic. Not because God is
magic and his ways are completely unknowable, but because we did not
have the capacity to understand the intricacies of creating a
universe. It is up to us to discover these mysteries of God. To meet
with him, as bride, as equal.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Carolyn.
922 reviews33 followers
July 16, 2011
Couldn't finish it; got about halfway through. The author makes a somewhat plausible case for continuous creation of matter as opposed to the Big Bang. Wish I understood the physics and the equations better. Then when he tries to show that this esoteric knowledge was all discovered by the ancients, as demonstrated by the Isis/Osiris myths, the Tarot, and astrological symbolism, he loses me. I just don't see how it all fits together.
Profile Image for Graham Bear.
416 reviews13 followers
July 11, 2018
Highly recommended. I urge you to read this book after reading the Wallace Thornhill book The Electric Universe. It is brilliant.
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