Nobel laureate Erwin Schrödinger's What is Life? is one of the great science classics of the twentieth century. A distinguished physicist's exploration of the question which lies at the heart of biology, it was written for the layman, but proved one of the spurs to the birth of molecular biology and the subsequent discovery of the structure of DNA. The philosopher Karl Popper hailed it as a 'beautiful and important book' by 'a great man to whom I owe a personal debt for many exciting discussions'. It appears here together with Mind and Matter, his essay investigating a relationship which has eluded and puzzled philosophers since the earliest times. Schrodinger asks what place consciousness occupies in the evolution of life, and what part the state of development of the human mind plays in moral questions. Brought together with these two classics are Schrödinger's autobiographical sketches, published and translated here for the first time. They offer a fascinating fragmentary account of his life as a background to his scientific writings, making this volume a valuable additon to the shelves of scientist and layman alike.
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'This book is a gem with many facets … one can read it in a few hours; one will not forget it in a lifetime.' Scientific American
'Erwin Schrödinger, iconoclastic physicist, stood at the pivotal point of history when physics was the midwife of the new science of molecular biology. In these little books he set down, clearly and concisely, most of the great conceptual issues that confront the scientist who would attempt to unravel the mysteries of life. This combined volume should be compulsory reading for all students who are seriously concerned with truly deep issues of science.' Paul Davies
'… this remains a classic, written with great insight and modesty …' Human Nature Review
'Erwin Schrödinger, iconoclastic physicist, stood at the pivotal point of history when physics was the midwife of the new science of molecular biology. In these little books he set down, clearly and concisely, most of the great conceptual issues that confront the scientist who would attempt to unravel the mysteries of life. This combined volume should be compulsory reading for all students who are seriously concerned with truly deep issues of science.' Paul Davies
'… this remains a classic, written with great insight and modesty …' Human Nature Review
Book Description
Nobel laureate Erwin Schrödinger's What is Life?, one of the great science classics of the twentieth century appears here together with Mind and Matter. Schrodinger asks what place consciousness occupies in the evolution of life, and what part the state of development of the human mind plays in moral questions.
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This little book arose from a course of public lectures, delivered by a theoretical physicist to an audience of about four hundred which did not substancially dwindle, though warned at the outset that the subject-matter was a difficult one and that the lectures could not be termed popular, even though the physicist's most deraded weapon, mathematical deduction, would hardly be utilized. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
This little book arose from a course of public lectures, delivered by a theoretical physicist to an audience of about four hundred which did not substancially dwindle, though warned at the outset that the subject-matter was a difficult one and that the lectures could not be termed popular, even though the physicist's most deraded weapon, mathematical deduction, would hardly be utilized. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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12 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By JFDerry
Format:Paperback
What Is Life?
Erwin Schrödinger
Cambridge University Press (2002)
Erwin Schrödinger
Cambridge University Press (2002)
The structure of DNA and the genetic code may have alluded us for some time more if Crick had not read Erwin Schrödinger's "What Is Life?" [1]. The research lead that Crick got by doing so was how a small set of repeating elements could give rise to a large number of combinatorial products, a mathematical relationship that Schrödinger illustrated using the Morse Code, based on an idea that he had actually got from the visionary work of Max Delbrück.
Delbrück, Schrödinger and Crick were physicists with an enthusiasm for tackling the unknown for the natural world. Crick's own motivation came directly from reading "What Is Life?" [2]. It seemed reasonable to make the cross-over as the infant field of biochemistry was bound to be governed by the same chemical and physical laws revealed in other, non-biological, disciplines. This was especially true given the progressive focus of biology on the increasingly small, until an effective convergence of scales in the studies of the biologically relevant on the biologically irrelevant. Hence the justification for Schrödinger's unspecific book title.
Although some of the notions in the book have been superseded by modern science, this remains a classic, written with great insight and modesty (Schrödinger downplays his potential as a biologist), and is worth the read if only as a portal in to the minds of those luminary workers.
By the time Watson and Crick were piecing together the jigsaw that would lead to their grand discovery, the far-reaching potential of Schrödinger's code script had been aligned with Chargaff's finding of a variable sequence of nucleotide bases, and the stage was set for that immortal terminal sentence, "It has not escaped our notice that the specific pairing we have postulated immediately suggests a possible copying mechanism for the genetic material."
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[1] Francis Crick (1989) What Mad Pursuit. Penguin.
[2] James Watson (1981) The Double Helix. Weidenfeld and Nicholson.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Rose Briers
Format:Hardcover
It is no surprise this book is still in print that speaks for itself. An excellent thought provoking read especially in these DNA times.
By dogdespair
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
A brilliant piece of deductive and scientific writing; however, the subject matter iis very deep and makes for slow reading.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A gift bought after watching TV
Bought as a gift for my oldest son after watching Prof Brian Cox who is on my son's twitter contacts. It was his birthday yesterday and he was delighted with his gift.
Published 15 days ago by Mrs. BW Richardson
1.0 out of 5 stars
Wrong author! Amazon's fault
I had expected a book by Brian Cox, so when my daughter brought this book by Schrödinger from London I couldn't understand how I could have ordered it. Read more
Published 1 month ago by geoffrey
3.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting!
One tends to forget how much has been learned in molecular biology since Schroedinger delivered his 1943 lectures on which the book was based. Therefore, it now seems naive. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Nige
5.0 out of 5 stars
What is Life?
A fascination study of the structure of living organisms from a molecular and quantum physics point of view. Read more
Published 2 months ago by M. A. Grigg
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very thought provoking
An enjoyable discussion on whether lithe process of life is based on the laws of physics. Although written 70 years ago it is still relevant. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Mr A J Sale
4.0 out of 5 stars
Worth reading
The book arrived quickly and well packed. I purchased this book for my husband who has found the book very interesting and informative.
Published 2 months ago by scraps
5.0 out of 5 stars
Now I understand!
A challenging subject clearly explained. As an elderly person things I was taught at school now become clear. Fascinating read!
Published 2 months ago by violetamy
3.0 out of 5 stars
An important book but showing its age
Of historic interest .
A great physicist thinking about biology before the era of the double helix.
An interesting view of quantum theory for biologists
A great physicist thinking about biology before the era of the double helix.
An interesting view of quantum theory for biologists
Published 2 months ago by Roy Spector
5.0 out of 5 stars
Classic
One word: Classic.
It's a classic of its time and a must read for anyone interested in how life works. Read more
It's a classic of its time and a must read for anyone interested in how life works. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Gino
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic
This is one of the greatest books of all time. It was an intellectual tour de force of almost unparalleled extent. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Prof C.E. Neal-Sturgess
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