A Case Against Accident and Self-organization - Hardcover

Overman, Dean L.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0847689662 ISBN 13: 9780847689668

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 1998

Synopsis

In this illuminating book, Dean L. Overman uses logical principles and mathematical calculations to answer the questions that have long perplexed biologists and astrophysicists:
Is it mathematically possible that accidental processes caused the formation of the first form of living matter from non-living matter? Could accidental processes have caused the formation of a universe compatible with life? Are current self-organization scenarios for the formation of the first living matter plausible? Overman reviews the influence of metaphysical assumptions in logical analysis, and discusses the principles of logic applicable to these questions, examining the limitations of verbal and mathematical logic. He proceeds to demonstrate that it is mathematically impossible that accidental processes produced the first living matter. The author also examines other issues related to the creation of the universe, including Stephen Hawking's no boundary proposal, the need for a Creator as the preserving cause of the universe, and the explanations offered by the weak and strong anthropic principles. Acclaimed by theologians and scientists alike as well-argued, coherent, and persuasive, A Case Against Accicdent and Self-Organization is a fascinating study of the origins of life and our universe.

About this title

About the Author:

Dean L. Overman is the senior partner in the Washington, D.C. office of Winston & Strawn, a large international law firm. He is the coauthor of several law books, the author of many law review articles on banking, commercial, corporate, tax, and securities laws, the author of a book on effective writing, and an Adjunct Fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Review:

Overman's 'brief' finds implausible the claims that life evolved from nonlife by chance and that the conditions for life in the universe are without cause. . . . As clear and straightforward an argument as one can find. (First Things)

The author has provided an eminently readable and interesting book. (Glenn Wyper Reformed Review, Fall 98, Vo. 52 N0. 1)

The writing is very clear, with hierarchic organization of numbered sections and subsections. Overman writes for the intelligent layperson, making this fine presentation of the argument for Design accessible to a wide audience. (Charles E. Chaffey, Universtiy of Toronto Book Reviews, March 99)

Overman's Brilliant book A Case Against Accident and Self-Organization will demonstrate to any reader that the universe we know could hardly have arisen by chance. (The American Enterprise)

For entertainment, Mr. Overman likes to ponder the origins of life on Earth, the mysteries of quantum mechanics and the nuances of particle physics. His mastery of these fields has earned him the respect and admiration of scholars from Cambridge to Harvard. (Mona Charen The Washington Times)

A valuable contribution to the discussion about the relationship between natural science and theology. (Wolfhart Pannenberg, University of Munich)

...impressive work. (Philosophia Christi)

About this edition

• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
• Publication date: 1998
• ISBN 10: 0847689662
• ISBN 13: 9780847689668
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 240