The Language of Living Matter: How Molecules Acquire Meaning

This book, by an eminent scientist and philosopher, provides strong evidence for the claim that language is a general principle of Nature, rooted exclusively in physical and chemical laws. The author's radical idea inevitably leads us to view the essence, origin and evolution of life in a completely new light. It removes not only a blind spot in the Darwinian concept of evolution but is also an essential step in bridging the gap between matter and mind.

To justify this far-reaching idea, the book takes a long and deep look at our scientific and philosophical thinking, at language as such, at science's claim to truth, and its methods, unity, limits and perspectives. These are the cornerstones structuring the book into six thematically self-contained chapters, rounded off by an epilogue that introduces the new topic of Nature's semantics. The range of issues covered is a testimony to how progress in the life sciences is transforming the whole edifice of science, from physics to biology and beyond. The book is aimed at a broad academic and general readership and requires no mathematical expertise.