Information and the Nature of Reality: From Physics to Metaphysics

doi:10.1017/CBO9781107589056

Many scientists regard mass and energy as the primary currency of nature. In recent years, however, the concept of information has gained importance. Why? In this book, eminent scientists, philosophers and theologians chart various aspects of information, from quantum information to biological and digital information, in order to understand how nature works. Beginning with a historical treatment of the topic, the book also examines physical and biological approaches to information, and its philosophical, theological and ethical implications.

'This is the anthology we have been waiting for … Philosophers, theologians and scientists all have their say, wrestling with the theme of God as the ultimate informational and structuring principle in the universe.'

Professor Sir Brian Heap - President, European Academies Science Advisory Board, German Academy of Sciences

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Contents

Frontmatter
pp i-iv
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Dedication
pp v-vi
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Contents
pp vii-viii
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About the authors
pp ix-xv
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Acknowledgments
pp xvi-xviii
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1 - Introduction: does information matter?
pp 1-12
- By Paul Davies, Arizona State University , Niels Henrik Gregersen, University of Copenhagen
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Part I - History
pp 13-14
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2 - From matter to materialism…and (almost) back
pp 15-46
- By McMullin Ernan, Notre Dame University
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3 - Unsolved dilemmas: the concept of matter in the history of philosophy and in contemporary physics
pp 47-80
- By Clayton Philip, Claremont Graduate University
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Part II - Physics
pp 81-82
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4 - Universe from bit
pp 83-117
- By Paul Davies, Arizona State University
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5 - The computational universe
pp 118-133
- By Lloyd Seth, W. M. Keck Center for Extreme Quantum Information Theory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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6 - Minds and values in the quantum universe
pp 134-154
- By Henry Stapp, University of California’s Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory
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Part III - Biology
pp 155-156
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7 - The concept of information in biology
pp 157-185
- By John Maynard Smith, University of Sussex
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8 - What is missing from theories of information?
pp 186-216
- By Terrence W. Deacon, University of California, Berkeley
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9 - Information and communication in living matter
pp 217-235
- By Bernd-Olaf Küppers, Friedrich Schiller University of Jena
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10 - Semiotic freedom: an emerging force
pp 236-260
- By Jesper Hoffmeyer, University of Copenhagen
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11 - Care on Earth: generating informed concern
pp 261-312
- By Holmes Rolston, Colorado State University
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Part IV - Philosophy and Theology
pp 313-314
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12 - The sciences of complexity: a new theological resource?
pp 315-356
- By Arthur Peacocke, Oxford University
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13 - God as the ultimate informational principle
pp 357-381
- By Keith Ward, Oxford University
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14 - Information, theology, and the universe
pp 382-404
- By John F. Haught, Georgetown University
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15 - God, matter, and information: towards a Stoicizing Logos Christology
pp 405-443
- By Niels Henrik Gregersen, University of Copenhagen
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16 - What is the ‘spiritual body’?: on what may be regarded as ‘ultimate’ in the interrelation between God, matter, and information
pp 444-463
- By Michael Welker, Heidelberg University
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Index
pp 464-487
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Information and the Nature of Reality

From Physics to Metaphysics

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Contents

Frontmatter
pp i-iv

Dedication
pp v-vi

Contents
pp vii-viii

About the authors
pp ix-xv

Acknowledgments
pp xvi-xviii

1 - Introduction: does information matter?
pp 1-12

Part I - History
pp 13-14

2 - From matter to materialism…and (almost) back
pp 15-46

3 - Unsolved dilemmas: the concept of matter in the history of philosophy and in contemporary physics
pp 47-80

Part II - Physics
pp 81-82

4 - Universe from bit
pp 83-117

5 - The computational universe
pp 118-133

6 - Minds and values in the quantum universe
pp 134-154

Part III - Biology
pp 155-156

7 - The concept of information in biology
pp 157-185

8 - What is missing from theories of information?
pp 186-216

9 - Information and communication in living matter
pp 217-235

10 - Semiotic freedom: an emerging force
pp 236-260

11 - Care on Earth: generating informed concern
pp 261-312

Part IV - Philosophy and Theology
pp 313-314

12 - The sciences of complexity: a new theological resource?
pp 315-356

13 - God as the ultimate informational principle
pp 357-381

14 - Information, theology, and the universe
pp 382-404

15 - God, matter, and information: towards a Stoicizing Logos Christology
pp 405-443

16 - What is the ‘spiritual body’?: on what may be regarded as ‘ultimate’ in the interrelation between God, matter, and information
pp 444-463

Index
pp 464-487

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Information and the Nature of Reality

From Physics to Metaphysics

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