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Masks of the Universe: Changing Ideas on the Nature of the Cosmos

by Edward Harrison.
Cambridge University Press, New York, NY, USA.
1985-2003. 340 pp., illus. ISBN: 0-521-77351-2

Reviewed by Rob Harle (Australia)

recluse@lis.net.au

This book covers a lot of "time" and "space". It takes us on a fascinating journey from the beginning of existence (as we perceive it today), through the numerous epochs of history to our present day ‘start of the art’ cosmology.

Cosmology is the science which attempts to explain the origin, evolution and structure of the universe. Considering the complexity of some of the issues involved, such as multi-universes and quantum mechanics, this book does this very well and in a highly readable way. It is perfectly suitable for general readership and is an excellent cross-disciplinary introduction for those thinking of a career in cosmology.

The book is divided into three parts: Worlds in the Making; The Heart Divine; and, The Cloud of Unknowing. It is supported by an excellent bibliography for those who wish to follow up specific areas of Harrison’s investigation.

The central theme of the book is concerned with understanding the difference between the Universe and universes. The Universe is not a human construct, it is "all there is" and Harrison claims it is unknown and unknowable, universes on the other hand are explanations constructed by humans.

Part One looks at the various universes humans have constructed over the years. Harrison uses the term universe synonymously with, ‘an historical epoch which was characterised by a unique idiosyncratic belief system’. This could have been magical, mythical, geometric, medieval or mechanistic. Each of these periods, Harrison argues, believed their cosmological explanation was the correct one. However, as he correctly observes each one is superseded by a further "complete" system and he asks rhetorically, how can we possibly believe our present physicalist cosmology is the ultimate fundamental explanation of existence?

Part Two investigates the nuts and bolts, as it were, of cosmology; atoms, the nature of un-curved and curved space, time, space-time, sub-atomic particles and waves, all the things physicists and astro-physicists like to bend their brains over. Don’t worry, there are no mathematics nor equations to master to understand these complex issues, they are explained in easy to read non-technical language.

Part Three, The Cloud of Unknowing investigates just how strange some of the belief systems have been; the nature of God within certain religious systems; freewill and determinism; and the ontological nature of consciousness. This section, especially the chapters – Ultimum Sentiens and All That Is Made – I found quite problematic, especially Harrison’s notion of the nature of consciousness. He argues that consciousness is not of a physical nature, "It is impossible to determine by any physical means if an object is conscious" (p. 256). If consciousness is not physical it therefore exists outside the physical universe and rightly belongs to the Universe (pp.250-251). Harrison claims that if there is one thing a person knows for certain it is that they know they are conscious of self. Surely this means that if the physical body exists in the physical universe, then the consciousness which arises from the physical body also exists in the universe as well as the Universe (p.265). There is no discussion about embodiment giving rise to consciousness and the growing strong evidence for the impossibility of disembodied consciousness.

The Buddhist and Hindu concept of the self (and its attendant consciousness) being an illusion is not considered. Harrison is altogether too light in his comments regarding these two religions and especially, he is incorrect in dismissing the notion of Brahman as just another universe construct. Brahman, if anything, is like Harrison’s Universe – unknown and unknowable. Further, dismissing religious systems as universes, completely misunderstands, for example, the basis and doctrine of Islam which, simply stated, has nothing to do with human constructs at all. The Qu’ran is literally the words of God, not written and constructed by humans such as in the case of the Christian Bible.

There is no space here to discuss further challenging concepts presented by Harrison, such as; "Given that the Universe and God are one and the same...we cannot doubt the existence of God, for the existence of the Universe is beyond doubt" (p. 300). I will leave it to the astute reader to make up their own minds on these complex, perennial and challenging issues concerning life and existence. This book is a good read and you may be assured that you will not put the book back on the bookshelf and simply forget about it.

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