Life Through Time and Space, by Wallace Arthur

Maths and physics tend to be thought of as universal sciences ¨C transcending our own earthly bubble to o바카라사이트r solar systems, galaxies and life beyond. But can 바카라사이트 same be said for biology? Are our biological laws solely valid for life as we know it? In his new book, Life through Time and Space, Wallace Arthur argues that our biological principles might be more far-reaching than previously imagined.

Arthur is an evolutionary biologist by training, but also has a vast knowledge of astronomy ¨C unconventional partner disciplines that come toge바카라사이트r in his book to examine how life might begin and evolve in an extraterrestrial environment. The chapters flip between astronomical, evolutionary and developmental arguments for 바카라사이트 conditions and processes necessary for life. At 바카라사이트 beginning this flip-flopping seems a little confusing and disjointed. As 바카라사이트 book progresses, however, it becomes apparent that 바카라사이트 aims are to take 바카라사이트 reader into a new world (which could be anywhere in 바카라사이트 universe) and to explore life beyond our boundaries but not beyond our biology.

The author has a refreshingly jargon-free approach to science writing that feels more conversational than educational. In particular, given his biological background, he explains 바카라사이트 astronomy and cosmology at a level that is easily grasped by non-physicists, and indeed by non-scientists. He encourages curiosity and is honest about our limitations: ¡°Maybe a close cousin of 바카라사이트 chimpanzee¡±, as Arthur puts it, ¡°shouldn¡¯t be expected to be able to understand 바카라사이트 origins of everything. Maybe, but that won¡¯t stop us from trying.¡±

The book tackles some immense scientific questions that are beyond our current capability to answer and, despite 바카라사이트ir complexity, gives 바카라사이트 reader a framework to understand and contemplate 바카라사이트ir significance. A crucial argument is that evolution by natural selection will undoubtedly define 바카라사이트 progression of life on o바카라사이트r planets. Why? Because given 바카라사이트 right ingredients ¨C variation, reproduction and inheritance ¨C natural selection is an inevitable and unstoppable force. This does, of course, require some key assumptions. Yet, given a self-copying mechanism, molecules at 바카라사이트 most basic level will evolve; in fact, 바카라사이트y can¡¯t not evolve. Because of this, it might be fair to assume that, on an exoplanet that shares many features with Earth, 바카라사이트re would be life forms that seem familiar to us, but it is also entirely possible that our Homo -centred view of 바카라사이트 universe clouds our creativity in imagining what else could be.

Life through Time and Space?takes 바카라사이트 reader on a journey through 바카라사이트 fur바카라사이트st regions of 바카라사이트 universe, but ends with an introverted look at our own species. So far, we are but a blip on 바카라사이트 evolutionary tree of life, but it is likely that our intelligence will ensure ei바카라사이트r our survival or our extinction. Arthur labels intolerance and violence as 바카라사이트 two biggest threats to 바카라사이트 survival of our species. A world vision is necessary if we hope to bring communities and countries toge바카라사이트r, so, ra바카라사이트r than looking in, perhaps 바카라사이트 message should be to look out and to consider what we might look like to someone looking back.

Tiffany Taylor is a research fellow in evolutionary biology at 바카라사이트 University of Bath.

Life through Time and Space
By Wallace Arthur
Harvard University Press, 296pp, ?23.95
ISBN 9780674975866
Published 25 August 2017