Cosmic evolution; the idea that the universe and its constituent parts are constantly evolving; has become widely accepted only in the last 50 years. It is no coincidence that this acceptance parallels the span of the Space Age. Although cosmic evolution was first recognized in the physical universe early in the 20th century; with hints even earlier; the relationships among planets; stars; and galaxies; and the evolution of the universe itself; became much better known through the discoveries by planetary probes and space telescopes in the latter half of the century. It was also during the last 50 years—a century after Darwin proposed that evolution by natural selection applies to life on our own planet—that researchers from a variety of disciplines began to seriously study the possibilities of extraterrestrial life and “the biological universe.†Considering biology from this broader cosmological perspective has expanded biological thinking beyond its sample-of-one straightjacket; incorporating biology into cosmic evolution. Astrobiology is now a robust discipline even though it has yet to find any life beyond Earth. But there is a third component to cosmic evolution beyond the physical and the biological. Even if we only know of culture on one planet so far; cultural evolution has been an important part of cosmic evolution on Earth; and perhaps on many other planets. Moreover; it also dominates the other two forms of evolution in terms of its rapidity. Humans were not much different biologically 10;000 years ago; but one need only look around to see how much we have changed culturally. Yet; unlike the study of biological evolution; which has made great progress since Darwin’s Origin of Species; the scientific study of cultural evolution languished after Darwin’s death for the better part of a century. Only within the past few decades has significant progress been made; and concerned with advancing their fledging science; cultural evolutionists have yet to expand their thinking beyond their current planetary sample-of-one concerns. But if life and intelligence do exist beyond Earth; it is likely that culture will arise and evolve. In this volume authors with diverse backgrounds in science; history; and anthropology consider culture in the context of the cosmos; including the implications of the cosmos for our own culture.
#3173098 in Books 2013-06-04Original language:English 9.00 x 1.42 x 6.00l; #File Name: 1490346708630 pages
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Winning for GodBy Indian BurnedThe author; in an admittedly dated style; gives a detailed story of how Cortes came back from the brink of defeat; over and over to finally triumph in a enormous bloodbath and conquer Mexico . I doubt if few people have any idea of what he went through... on the other hand; I doubt if many people have any idea what the Mexicans went through; which was far worse. In the book the reader roots for Cortes as he decimates a whole civilization; in the name of God.... Makes you wonder!!!Regardless; it is a detailed and fascinating story of perseverance in the face incredible odds.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Cortes; in all his ambiguous glory - an extraordinary story!By D. B. WilliamsI originally bought this as an e-book because it was so cheap (embarrassing admission!); and I thought I'd miss out if I didn't purchase it then and there. Well it was cheap; but I would only have missed out if I hadn't begun reading before I realised it was cheap because it was a very old book; reprinted. Prescott's style is very dated; and his expressions sometimes seem convoluted; but I really enjoyed it enormously - his storytelling is superb; and while he sometimes reveals his age with non-PC comments about native peoples and their gods; he never seems condescending. His efforts to accurately portray that most extraordinary; single-minded; confident; competent leader; military commander; politician; and rascal Hernando Cortes succeed beyond expectation. While deploring the long-term results of the conquest of Mexico; Cortes' achievement is breathtaking; and wonderfully described by Prescott from a perspective much closer to the events than we can readily muster today.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. An exciting storyBy coreyhuntEven though this book was written in 1890; it is surprisingly even handed in this struggle between the dominant culture of Central America and a small group of adventurers led by Hernando Cortes. The author obviously admires the achievements of the Aztecs; despite the 20;000 human sacrifices annually made to their gods. The conditions of the Aztec nation which made it liable to collapse and the skill of Cortes are discussed. This story would not be believed if history had not instructed us it is true.
