Embryos, Galaxies, and Sentient Beings ─ How the Universe Makes Life

Why is the universe conscious? What kindles mind inside matter? Why do fundamentalist sciences and religions never ask these questions? This sequel to Embryogenesis deals with the theoretical issues brought up by Embryogenesis, including: the relationship between thermodynamics/entropy and the emergence of life; a speculative set of embryogenic principles for all creatures on all planets in the cosmos; an explanation and critique of Intelligent Design and a proposal for a more dynamic psychospiritual theory of creature development; a series of alternatives to genetic determinism; a discussion of the relationship between consciousness and matter; an interjection of 9/11 (which occurred during the writing of this book); and many other topics. Chapters include: What is Life?: Evolution, Thermodynamics, and Complexity; Is There a Plan?: Creationism, Cultural Relativism, and Paraphysics; Biogenesis and Cosmogenesis: Cells, Genes, and Planets; The Principles of Biological Design: Physical Forces in Nature; The Dynamics of the Biosphere: Deep Time and Space; The Limits of Genetic Determinism: Dimensionless Epigenetic Landscapes; Topokinesis: Physical Forces in Development; Tissue Motifs and Body Plans: Coordinating Form; The Primordial Field: Metabiology and The Molecular Apparatus; Meaning and Destiny: The Relation of Consciousness to Matter

A graduate of Amherst College, Richard Grossinger received a Ph.D. in anthropology from the University of Michigan by writing an ethnography of fishing in Maine. He is the author of many books, a portion of which is listed below:Planet MedicineThe Night SkyEmbryogenesis: Species, Gender, and IdentityHomeopathy: The Great RiddleNew MoonOut of Babylon: Ghosts of Grossinger'sHe and his wife Lindy Hough are the founding publishers of North Atlantic Books in Berkeley, California.