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Book reviews for "Stent,_Gunther_Siegmund" sorted by average review score:

Mind from Matter
Published in Paperback by Blackwell Science Inc (1985)
Authors: Max Delbruck, S. W. Dolomb, and Gunther Siegmund Stent
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Philosophy meets superb science.
The full title of this book is "Mind From Matter? An Essay of Evolutionary Epistemology". It is a compilation of lectures delivered at Caltech in the mid 70's by Max Delbruck, one of the preeminent biologists of the 20th century. The insights in this book are so refreshing and deep, I must wonder why this book has not received far greater attention than it has. It is one of the best books I have ever come across for demonstrating just how critically important science is to philosophy. If you have any interest in how science impinges on epistemology in particular, this book is a "must read"; put it at the top of your to-do list. Even if your interest is much broader, and you are not intimidated by equations and scientific jargon, then you will enjoy this book greatly. It is extremely well-written, beautifully illustrated with concise line drawings, and best of all, it explores an astonishingly wide range of topics in both science and philosophy. To give you some idea of its breadth, this book covers perception, genetics, time, cognition, causality, number theory, evolution, computability, paradoxes, relativity, quantum mechanics, mind/brain duality, logic and artificial intelligence, and discusses what all of this has to say about how we know anything; that is, epistemology. It's a stunning synthesis.

One of the central tenets of this book, which impinges forcefully on epistemology, is summed up nicely beginning on page 117: "...the empiricist argument that knowledge about the world can enter the mind only through experience is valid if we consider only the ontogenetic development of man, from fertilized human egg to adult person. But once we also take into account the phylogenic development of the human brain through evolutionary history, it becomes clear that persons can know something of the world innately, prior to and independent of their experience."

In essence, Delbruck argues that we acquire knowledge not only through direct interaction, during development onward, but also through the accumulated experience of our ancestors, handed down by way of our genes, which have been shaped by eons of previous experience. The distinction between "ontogenetic" learning and "phylogenetic" learning is revisited many times in the book and explored in great depth, both philosophically and scientifically. As a biologist, Delbruck is not content to simply assert that something happened; he wants to understand the mechanisms. Delbruck offers many deep insights: "What is learned phylogenetically is not how to enter the world with ready-made adaptive concepts but how to have the brain so interact with the world before, during, and after birth that is certain to develop adaptive rather than maladaptive categories of thought."

This is an outstanding book. Be warned, however, that it is not an easy read. It is not science-made-palatable. Rather, it is a carefully argued synthesis of wide-ranging scientific knowledge, and an exploration of the philosophical implications. If you are prepared to think hard, this book will reward you.


The Double Helix: A Personal Account of the Discovery of the Structure of DNA
Published in Hardcover by W. W. Norton & Company (1980)
Authors: James D. Watson and Gunther Siegmund Stent
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Scientists Are People Too
Although The Double Helix by James D. Watson is not the most riveting-can't-put-it-down book, it does offer a fascinating first-hand account of the events leading up to one of the most impacting scientific discoveries ever. Its manifestation of the unique existence of a scientist exposes what type of competitions, manipulation, and discovery exist in the science arena.

The introduction of other key figures who played prominent and influential roles in the discovery of the DNA structure is at the very least, enlightening. The network of knowledge necessary to ensure there are no foibles in a key discovery is something that the general public may have never taken into account. Also, it evinces the professional barriers that exist between the genders. The back story of Rosalind "Rosie" Franklin is fascinating as it examines the "glass ceiling" and what type of personality a woman needs to adopt in order to survive in a male dominated field. The end of the end of the book-where Watson realizes her seemingly callous attitude emanates from her essential need to incorporate survival methods is refreshing. The science terms are difficult to follow if one does not have previous scientific background, but there is enough universality imbedded into the story to keep a reader's attention.

Another aspect that proves to be surprising is the fact that scientists are not without their weak fields-just because they excel in chemistry does not mean they are equally capable in biology. Reading of how Watson and Crick were unsuccessful on several occasions somehow made them human-like they were mortals rather than some higher power intellectuals. Somehow, there seems to be an idea or stigma attached to scientists that suggest they are always brilliant and do not make mistakes. This book sheds that concept.

Watson and Crick needed to do research, work hard, and learn from their mistakes in order to accomplish their objective. They even needed help from their friends. They beat out a great scientist in Linus and won the "DNA Race." Their discovery has changed the world, and this book depicts them in a humble role-two guys doing their job.

the double helix
I think the Double helix is a wonderful and entertaining book to read. The great scientist James D. Watson clearly describes about the discovery of the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) structure, which can be consider to be the greatest discoveries in the millennium. The author is very detailed in explaining how, when and where the discovery took place. He emphasizes on the role of recreation and day dreaming in the context of everyday life in sparking fresh insights towards possible connections. He also explains his motivations of research and his ambitions in getting a noble prize. I think Watson's style is very personable as he includes a lot of stories about his life such as personal vanities, annoying mannerisms and even his formal dinning parties. I think this book is fun to read and can be shared among children as to motivate them in expanding their ideas.

A Geneticist Looks at the Double Helix
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When "The Double Helix" came out in 1968, as a geneticist I naturally read it. And it has stuck far more firmly for me than any of the many other books I've read over the years about genetics.

Why do I remember this book so well? I've wondered. The answer is right in the first sentence of "The Double Helix" that reads: "I have never seen Francis Crick in a modest mood."

In his account of how the structure of DNA was discovered, Jim Watson doesn't try to tell the story from a disinterested point of view. This is my version, he says, and I'm not going to touch it up to cover the warts and other blemishes. Yes, for instance, Watson and Crick were patently and terribly unfair and unjust toward Rosalind Franklin but Jim doesn't deny it. He makes it plenty clear.

Most writing in and about science is well varnished. But varnish gives a gloss and it's not easy to hold onto. Jim Watson forgot the varnish, on purpose. Watson's brashness (and Crick's conceit) season this narrative in a memorable way, a way I can't easily forget, even if I wanted to.

This is first-rate personal science writing. Five stars, for sure, or more. It's about one of the most important discoveries in the history of science. I hope you'll enjoy (and remember) "The Double Helix" too.


The Coming of the Golden Age: A View of the End of Progress,
Published in Hardcover by Doubleday (1969)
Author: Gunther Siegmund, Stent
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Molecular Genetics: An Introductory Narrative
Published in Hardcover by W H Freeman & Co. (1978)
Author: Gunther Siegmund, Stent
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Paradoxes of progress
Published in Unknown Binding by W. H. Freeman ()
Author: Gunther Siegmund Stent
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