Brian Auten on The Grand Design
Stephen Hawking and Leonard Mlondinow’s recent book The Grand Design caused a lot of buzz in the media and blogosphere prior to its release. For this reader, the new best-seller was a letdown. It was short, anticlimactic, and seemed lacking much new information or actual argument. However, the responses to Hawking and Mlodinow have been interesting to follow and helpful to read, as they elucidate some of the key issues and implications of Hawking’s ides.
[From Apologetics 315: Responses to Stephen Hawking and The Grand Design]
See the post there for a couple dozen good reviews/responses to the book.
_______________
Possibly related posts (automatically generated):
Let me add this response to Hawking – I have some quibbles with it, but I think on the whole it’s quite good. And I’d be curious of Holopupenko’s estimation of it:
http://www.firstthings.com/onthesquare/2010/09/much-ado-about-ldquonothingrdquo-stephen-hawking-and-the-self-creating-universe
As well, and with the same question, I add this lighter piece (though, I think, with quite a serious note from a platonic or even thomist standpoint) by Mike Flynn:
http://m-francis.livejournal.com/168500.html
Oh, and two favorite quotes of mine so far. First from a Vatican astronomer:
Responding to Hawking’s recent comments that the laws of physics removed the need for God, Consolmagno said: “Steven Hawking is a brilliant physicist and when it comes to theology I can say he’s a brilliant physicist.”
And Martin Rees:
Stephen Hawking is a remarkable person whom I’ve know for 40 years and for that reason any oracular statement he makes gets exaggerated publicity. I know Stephen Hawking well enough to know that he has read very little philosophy and even less theology, so I don’t think we should attach any weight to his views on this topic,” he said.
Crude:
I’m popping my head up for a few breaths of oxygen: I promise I’ll get back to you on the above and on the earlier material. In addition to tests, I’ve also proposed a two-course sequence along the lines that SteveK brought up in his question to me (which is a HUGE time-sucking black hole… no physics pun intended).
Holopupenko,
Oh, by all means, take your time! You’re busy, and really, nothing I’m talking about is all that urgent here. I didn’t mention wanting to hear your opinion due to some kind of challenge or anything silly – I just honestly am interested. I find the regulars here (Tom, yourself, SteveK, others) enjoyable to read, but given our last discussion this seemed particularly apt for you.
Good luck with the work!