| A Most Improbable Story: The Evolution of the Universe, Life, and Humankind by Steven J. Theroux Please join us on Wednesday, August 17 at 10 am (New York time) for Steven Theroux's presentation, whose topic is also that of his just published book. His book and preseentation to us is a "Big History" of the evidence regarding how we came to be. It briefly explores philosophical thought and how our past might affect our future. The text summarizes different perspectives, including the strengths and weaknesses of each. The genesis of our planet is explored, especially the circumstances that must exist for complex life to arise. This journey highlights the history of life, the emergence of simple lifeforms, and the evolution of complex creatures, including humans. The book concludes with a discussion of why other humanoids went extinct while our species achieved dominance. The author considers potentialities awaiting humankind and our planet. This is the first "Big History" written from the perspective of a biologist.
Please note that Chapter 12, which is entitled “The Genesis of Behaviorally Modern Homo sapiens. A Cognitively Advanced Human That Can Reflect Upon Its Existence”, is available to read via the open access platform established by Taylor and Francis. |
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The webinar will be moderated by
Dr. Paul Narguizian
Professor
Department of Biological Sciences
California State University, Los Angeles
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter|22 pages
Introduction
Perspective Matters, But Perspective Isn't Everything
Part Part I|87 pages
The Making of a Habitable World
Chapter 1|18 pages
In the Beginning
The Genesis of the Universe
Chapter 2|12 pages
The Life and Death of a Star
Chapter 3|13 pages
The Milky Way
A Goldilocks Galaxy
Chapter 4|13 pages
The Galactic Cradle
Chapter 5|27 pages
The Inimitable Earth
Part Part II|175 pages
The Emergence of Life From a Lifeless World
Chapter 6|27 pages
Let There Be Life
The Rise of the Prokaryotes
Chapter 7|26 pages
Evolution
The Generator of Life's Diversity
Chapter 8|19 pages
The Rise of the Superkingdoms
Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya
Chapter 9|12 pages
Partnering Up
The Journey From Single-Cell Eukaryotes to Multicellular Animals
Chapter 10|21 pages
The Blossoming of Terrestrial Life
Chapter 11|18 pages
The Emergence of the Genus Homo
Earth's First Humans Come Into Being
Chapter 12|25 pages
The Genesis of Behaviorally Modern Homo sapiens
A Cognitively Advanced Human That Can Reflect Upon Its Existence
(Available for free download; please click here.)
Chapter 13|21 pages
The Future of Life on Earth
Abstract
International-Big History-Association is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: A Most Improbable Story: The Evolution of the Universe, Life, and Humankind
Time: Aug 17, 2022 10:00 Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81260036126?pwd=NTRHVEF0Y3ROSG5Yb0l5YXpscEw2Zz09