Cosmology, the science of all that exists in the universe, is an interdisciplinary field that seeks to understand the fundamental nature of the universe, that is, how it evolved from its primordial stages, including the Big Bang, to its present state, and its potential future. This quest is driven by centuries of astronomical observations and advanced physical theories. The growing number of ground-based observatories, space-based satellites, and cutting-edge tools like the Hubble Space Telescope, the James Webb Space Telescope, and gravitational wave observatories allow us to look back to the very early stages of our expanding universe, offering unprecedented insights. This book addresses several important cosmological issues, including humanity’s enduring search for other advanced civilizations in the cosmos. It highlights the importance of such cosmic exploration and provides a comprehensive understanding of the concept of spacetime within the framework of general relativity. The book introduces a cosmological model that incorporates an evolving curvature term within the standard model of cosmology and presents arguments in favor of a rotating universe, exploring the associated mechanisms of how light and matter could escape from a Kerr black hole. In addition, it delves into modern efforts by cosmologists to uncover the actual shape of the universe—its topology—using the latest data. Finally, the book examines the critical role of quantum field theory in helping theorists build an increasingly robust picture of the cosmos. The editors hope that this scientifically rich and enlightening volume will engage readers and inspire further exploration into the mysteries of the universe.

For first-century people, cosmology was a fundamental part of their worldview. Whether it was the philosopher contemplating the perfection of the heavenly orbits, the farmer searching the sky for signs of when to plant his crops, or the desert-dwelling sectarian looking for the end of the world, the cosmos held an endless fascination and occupied a prominent place in their understanding of life. For most ancient peoples, cosmology and theology were inseparable. Thus, when the Jewish and Christian Scriptural traditions begin with the bold claim, "In the beginning God created the heavens and earth," these words make statements which are at once cosmogonic, cosmological, and theological. Scholarship has begun only recently to investigate more fully the various cosmological and cosmogonic traditions that were current in the time of the Old and New Testaments. Much of this work, however, has focused on how OT conceptions of the world compared to other Ancient Near Eastern traditions. Much less has been done on the cosmological traditions which stand behind the views of the NT writers. Even fewer works have sought to connect cosmological views with NT theology. In light of the great importance that cosmology had in ancient peoples' worldviews and theological understanding, a thorough investigation of this neglected topic is in order. Cosmology and New Testament Theology systematically examines the NT documents to show how cosmological language and concepts inform, interact with, and contribute to the specific theological emphases of the various NT books. In some NT books, the importance of cosmology can be easily discerned, while in others what is required is a new and close examination of key cosmological terms (e.g., heaven, earth, world, creation) with an eye to the themes and theology of the book.

A collection of thirteen essays which reflect on the problematic relationship between religious diversity and interreligious dialogue by examining key issues that arise from attempting to do justice to the doctrinal tradition of Christianity.

The present volume of Time and Science series is devoted to Physical Sciences and Cosmology. Today more than ever, the question 'is Time an ontological property, a necessary ingredient for the physical description of the world, or a purely epistemological element, relative to our situation in the world?' worry physicists and cosmologists alike. For many of them, Relativity (and particularly General Relativity), as well as its reconciliation with quantum mechanics in the elaboration of a quantum theory of gravitation, points to a negative answer to the first alternative, and leads them to deny the objective reality of time. For others, the answer is nuanced by the evidence of an emerging temporal property when one climbs the scales of the complexity of systems and/or the applicability of the statistical laws of thermodynamics. But for some, the illusion of the unreality of time comes from certain confusions that they denounce, and plead for the re-establishment of time at the heart of physical theories.

In the earliest drama the clash between the old world of ritual and the new world of money is revealed.

It is difficult to doubt that we suffer at present from the manifold aspects of an economic crisis which affects all walks of life. Well, men in almost every epoch in history have maintained that they were going through a crisis which was sup posed to be always more grave than any preceding critical phase. Very often those crises were not of an economic nature, but concerned either health, the political structure, the opportunity of acquiring knowledge, and so on. I think that we would consider today that some of those claims that were made in various historical epochs were often exaggerated if viewed from a historical point of view. However, it seems undeniable that we at present are in the middle of a universal economic crisis which has affected almost every facet of our daily life. And yet, the fact that despite these adverse conditions it is still possible to gather scholars from all corners of the world to deal with often sheer theo retical and sometimes abstract pursuits is a refutation of any facile pessimism it is reassuring to all who wonder where political and social events are taking us. Our salvation may well come from those acts of the mind so character istic of the pure scientist and scholar.

In "Unlocking the Cosmos: A Guide to Mastering Astronomy," readers will embark on an exhilarating journey through the cosmos, from the wonders of the solar system to the mysteries of the distant universe. This comprehensive guide provides aspiring astronomers with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the night sky, understand celestial phenomena, and delve into the forefront of astronomical research. Whether you're a novice stargazer or an experienced astronomer, this book is your ultimate companion to unraveling the secrets of the universe.

This book consists of 15 titles, which are the following: Cosmic Inflation Cosmic Rays Dark Matter Exoplanets Expansion of the Universe Galaxies Meteors Multiverse Theory Planetary Formation Quantum Gravity Stellar Evolution String Theory Supermassive Black Hole Supernovae

The mind-body problem is the ultimate intractable enigma. How can we - being complex physical systems - have multicoloured experiences, and make conscious choices? This book proposes that all fundamental constituents of the universe are agents, which perceive one another, and freely act according to their percepts. Contemporary science can be explained in entirely mentalistic terms. This is consistent with many interpretations of quantum mechanics, such as GRW and Roger Penrose's OR theory.

This book lays out the principles and practices of transformative sustainability education using a relational way of thinking and being. Elizabeth A. Lange advocates for a new approach to environmental and sustainability education, that of rethinking the Western way of knowing and being and engendering a frank discussion about the societal elements that are generating climate, environmental, economic, and social issues. Highlighting the importance of Indigenous and life-giving cultures, the book covers educational theory, transformation stories of adult learners, social and economic critique, and visions of changemakers. Each chapter also has a strong pedagogical element, with entry points for learners and embodied practices and examples of taking action at micro/meso/macro levels woven throughout. Overall, this book enacts a relational approach to transformative sustainability education that draws from post humanist theory, process thought, relational ontology, decolonization theory, Indigenous philosophy, and a spirituality that builds a sense of sacred towards the living world. Written in an imaginative, storytelling manner, this book will be a great resource for formal and nonformal environmental and sustainability educators.