Universe, Human Species, Reality

A Physicalist Approach

Jacques Vanier

• Publisher: CRC Press
• Year: 2025
• eBook ISBN: 9781040391556
• Topic: Physical Sciences
• Subtopic: Biology

Universe, Human Species, Reality: A Physicalist Approach describes the functioning of the material universe with the use of intermediate mathematical language. The book uses a physicalist approach in the sense that it is based entirely on physical phenomena and on reality, and does not use philosophical or theological argumentation based on abstract reasoning not anchored in physical observations.

Using these observations, the book develops the argument that the principle of least action plays a most important role in the functioning of the universe. Furthermore, if we extend our study, we may find an answer to some questions that have not been answered yet. As examples, we may mention a few of those, such as, the exact nature of the Big Bang, the essence of life, and the nature of the intellect–brain gap.

This book should be of interest to undergraduate students in physics and biology, and to the general science reader.

Key Features

• Addresses our understanding of the complete basic physics of the universe
• Uses a physicalist approach, rather than a philosophical and theological approach, in studying the nature of the universe
• Gives a rather unique conclusion relative to the functioning of the universe including Homo sapiens

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Series
• Title
• Copyright
• Contents
• Preface
• Chapter 1 Introduction
• Chapter 2 The Universe
• Chapter 3 Human Species
• Chapter 4 Realism and Physicalism
• Chapter 5 Conclusion
• Bibliography
• Annexes
• Index