Contents
Preface v - vii
Chapter 1 Introduction 1
Why
ask why?
Other
answers to the meaning of life
Using
rationality to face reality
Chapter 2 The Scientific Approach to the 15
Meaning of Life
The
value of rational explanations
Science
and anti-science
The
role of emergence
Chapter 3 Left - Right Brain Dualism 39
Split brain experiments
which divide us
The subjugation of reason by emotion
Postscript
- How to change your life
Chapter 4 The Rational View of Life 79
From
Genesis to genetics, from molecules to minds
Section
1 The Origin of Life 81
Chemicals to biochemicals
Supra-molecules - the missing link
Section
2 From Molecules to Cells 91
DNA, proteins and cells
The definition of life and information
Time
Section
3 From Unicellular to Multicellular 113
Sexual reproduction and embryogenesis
Origins of behaviour
Section
4 Evolution 133
The ingredients and products of evolution
Complexity and evolutionary progression
Other life
Section
5 Demystifying Life 162
Section
6 Summary 167
Chapter 5 The Human Dimension
Section
1 The human mind 171
Biology, brains and behaviour
Genetic drives and mental models
Rational thought to science and technology
Section
2 Interpretations 191
The interpretation of humanity in
evolutionary terms: -
consciousness, dualism, freewill, the soul,
society, religion, education, conscience,
laws, politics, culture, literature,
music, dance, art, emotions, sex, love,
humour, pleasure, happiness,
sin, intelligence, death
Section
3 Human behaviour 236
Genetically determined versus acquired behaviour
The ‘over and above’ objection
The devolution of evolution
Chapter 6 Review of evolution and beyond 255
From
the Big Bang to Techno-Social Evolution
DNA is Dead, Long Live the Word
The end of
DNA and bio-evolution
Evolution
Information
revisited
The
future
Chapter 7 The End
Our
freedom to choose and the options before us
Section
1 Freewill - Chance or Choice? 301
The evolutionary mistake
Section
2 Alternatives to Evolution 310
Endgame