-The Forge, CHAPTER THIRTEEN, p. 235.
An extra-solar colony, isolated after the fall of technological civilization, has reverted to the ancient and medieval dichotomy between sub-lunar and trans-lunar spaces and thus has lost the modern scientific understanding that the laws of physics and chemistry are universal. Frank Tipler summarizes the medieval view in The Physics Of Christianity. CS Lewis tried to restore that view and opposed the Moon landings because they would destroy his illusion. In his sf, evil is confined to within the lunar orbit.
In Poul Anderson's "Starfog," a Ranger exploring a radiation-filled globular cluster is in danger not because of any ignorance of scientific laws but because he cannot know in advance how those laws will transform the properties of matter in unfamiliar conditions. It is one universe but vast.
9 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
I should reread what Frank Tipler said about Medieval philosophy. And I'll be interested in any further comments you make about his THE PHYSICS OF CHRISTIANITY. I do recall how Tipler agreed with the Christian belief in the "lawfulness" of God being very important to the rise of a true science. Something which Anderson discussed in both "Delenda Est" and IS THERE LIFE ON OTHER WORLDS?
I am disappointed and surprised that C.S. Lewis, who LIKED science fiction, disliked the idea of human beings leaving Earth for other worlds like the Moon. Meaning he disagreed with the Apollo program that just starting at the time Lewis died, hopes of getting to the Moon. If I could have, I would have stated my emphatic disagreement with Lewis!
JRR Tolkien also liked science fiction, altho his natural forte as a writer was in fantasy. I don't recall him ever expressing any opinions about humans leaving Earth, so I hope he was more open to that idea.
Sean
Sean,
I might not find much more to write about Tipler. I do not understand the physics and some of what he says comes across as mere statements. He expects some kind of end of history in this century but does not mean the ecological catastrophe which (so far) he doesn't mention unless I've missed it.
Paul.
Kaor, Paul!
I certainly agree with you about the physics in Tipler's book was difficult, altho I think I grasped the gist. One think I recall being how Tipler thought ACTION by humans would be needed to prevent the universe from expanding forever, which I admit astonished me. And I was interested in what he said about baryon annihilation, quantum computers, the Shroud of Turin, and the Real Presence.
I think we need a philosopher, theologian, and scientist to give us a fair evaluation of Tipler's difficult but fascinating book.
Sean
Sean,
I strongly suspect that it does not hang together.
Paul.
Kaor, Paul!
While I am not sure I agree with everything Tipler says, I am not so sure that his basic argument does not in fact "hang together."
Sean
Sean,
Have you understood how he deduces that the the Singularity is conscious and intelligent?
Paul.
'Tipler thought ACTION by humans would be needed to prevent the universe from expanding forever'
I thought it was generally believed that the exploding universe would operate like any other explosion - that is, reach its limit then begin to contract. In any case, what possible action could we pretty insignificant humans take to prevent expansion, even should we want to?
Ketlan,
You are out of date on your first point. It is now seen that the cosmic expansion is accelerating - and dark energy has something to do with it. But I don't know what difference human action can make.
Paul.
Kaor, Paul!
During the time I was reading THE PHYSICS OF CHRISTIANITY, I thought Tipler made a convincing argument for how the Singularity is in fact God. And I thought it was logical and convincing. But it's plain I would need to reread what he said about the Singularity.
Sean
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