Adequate Wisdom: Essays on the Nature of Existence
A Layman's Observations of Life & the Cosmos


By Ronald P. Smolin
February 12, 2012
BainBridgeBooks
Distrubuted by Trans-Atlantic Publications Inc.
ISBN: 9781891696305
384 pages, Illustrated, 6x9"
$27.95 hardcover

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT THE ADEQUATE WISDOM HOME PAGE AT:
www.adequatewisdom.org

---

Review of book from KIRKUS REVIEWS:

February 21, 2012

"An encyclopedia-dictionary hybrid that teaches readers about the world and their own existence. Smolin takes the reader on a vast journey as he goes through the annals of knowledge. He starts with a logical breakdown of the meta-aspects of existence—form, process and idea, or 'tools,' as he puts it—for understanding the varying aspects of existence. Smolin then moves through lists and examples of these forms and processes. Using this as his extended introduction, he then turns his attention toward many large-scale questions, such as free will, mysticism and the origin of the universe.

"He systematically goes through the tangible world—from quarks to galaxies—before turning to humans and their biological and psychological makeup. But Smolin doesn’t stop there. After discussing the soul and religion, he turns to a potpourri of topics that include everything from war to orgasms. For all the immensity of topics covered, the writing is fairly easygoing. And he doesn't present fluff either, making it quite accessible for a book dealing so heavily in scientific concepts.

"With each topic given a separate chapter and most chapters stretching no more than a page or two, Smolin’s approach is to provide the reader with basic facts and ideas. It would be very easy, due to the nature of many of the topics, for the author to give skewed, opinionated views, but more often than not he succeeds in steering clear of giving his personal opinion, presenting instead a wide collection of possibilities. Although the book might struggle to find its appropriate targeted audience, the reader should find it helpful for not only presenting and outlining thoughts on various topics, but seeing where they fit into the larger structure of knowledge."

*******

Brief summary: Written for the general reader, the book provides a broad overview of the structures, events and ideas in the world with the goal of achieving an adequate (workable) understanding of the cosmos and the human condition. It includes sections on physical and biological existence, God and religion, and humanity. (Contains a glossary and bibliography.)

PREFACE

This work contains the observations by one member of our species who has forever stood in awe of his own existence and that of the entire universe, trying to understand why things are the way they are.

One way to examine existence is to look at the structures, events and ideas in the world and comment on them; including their effects upon the day-to-day activities of humankind.

Of course it is virtually impossible to codify existence, but nonetheless a humble attempt is made in this work, because curiosity urges one to fashion an integration of life and the cosmos as best as possible.

The goal is the creation of an adequate wisdom (a workable wisdom) to help us formulate policies and judgments that benefit not only our species but the entire planet as well.

 

Overview of Contents

PART ONE:
THE ESSENTIALS

PART TWO:
QUESTIONS & IDEAS

PART THREE:
PHYSICAL EXISTENCE

PART FOUR:
BIOLOGICAL & HUMAN EXISTENCE

PART FIVE:
TRENDS & OTHER MATTERS

PART SIX:
GOD & RELIGION

PART SEVEN:
HUMANITY

PART EIGHT:
FINAL THOUGHTS

Glossary

Bibliography

 

Author Bio:  The author has worked in public relations, journalism, writing, publishing and dramatic arts. He worked in a public information capacity for the Newark NJ war on poverty program, as well as the New York City Human Resources Administration. He is president of Trans-Atlantic Publications Inc., which distributes and publishes trade books. He is also president of Coronet Books Inc., an importer of academic books from around the world. He edited The Directory of Public High Technology Corporations, and was co-editor of The $25,000 Challenge, a trivia quiz book.  He also wrote and directed two theatrical plays which premiered in Philadelphia. He holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the Pennsylvania State University.

 

Return to main page of Trans-Atlantic Publications