Courses

This seminar is a one-semester survey of the universe from the beginning of time to something akin to its end, with an organizing theme of origins. We will explore the origin of inanimate physical structures (the origin of cosmos as a whole, as well as that of galaxies, stars, planets, particles, atoms and complex molecules), the origin of life (the origin of replicating molecules, the first cells, as well as more complex life forms), the origin of mind (the origin of self-reflective conscious awareness) and the origin of culture (the origins of language, myth, religion, art and science). We will consider the adaptive role of these developments and then consider what science in particular tells us about the far future of matter and mind. Throughout, we will examine the long-standing human search for meaning.