The New Flatlanders: A Seeker's Guide to the Theory of Everything - Softcover

Middleton, Eric

3.61

23 ratings by Goodreads

9781599471235: The New Flatlanders: A Seeker's Guide to the Theory of Everything

Softcover

ISBN 10: 159947123X ISBN 13: 9781599471235

Publisher: Templeton Press, 2007

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In The New Flatlanders, teacher, scientist, and chaplain Eric Middleton challenges traditional ways of looking at reality by engaging readers in a "voyage of discovery starting with questions." The book engagingly begins with a discussion group embarking on an exploratory conversation about the nature of the universe and the place of human beings in it. Daunting questions emerge, such as "How can there possibly be a tear or hole in three-dimensional space? And if there is a hole, can something fall through it? Where would it fall to?" In short order, students and teacher are on a quest to develop a "working theory of everything" that takes them from stone circles to quarks, superstrings, quantum theory, the anthropic principle, evolution, consciousness, miracles, chaos, and the spiritual universe.

The key to exploring these questions is finding a language with which to talk about the awe and wonder of today's science alongside the joy of experiencing the spiritual. This is done by interweaving into the discussions the philosophy of "Flatland," a nonreligious entry point to Jesus posited by nineteenth-century clergyman and educator Edwin A. Abbott in his classic parable Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions.

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About the Author:

Eric Middleton has masters degrees in natural sciences, psychology and philosophy. His career as a teacher and lecturer includes a fellowship with the Royal Society of Chemistry, tutoring and lecturing on science and religion at the Open University in the U.K., as well as teaching and management positions in school systems. In college, he boxed for Cambridge University and has played violin in the Cleveland Philharmonic and Teesside Symphony Orchestras as well as a local string quartet. He is emeritus principal and chief executive of the Prior Pursglove Sixth Form College. Qualified in theology and accredited with the Association of Christian Counselors, he is now a college chaplain living in Guisborough, England.

Review:

"Everyone should buy a copy of this book . . . If you think science disproves faith, or faith can ignore science, read why you are wrong." -- Sam Berry

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