Searching for Stars on an Island in Maine book cover by Alan P. Lightman

Searching for Stars on an Island in Maine

Adult • Politics & Social Sciences • Phenomenology • Philosophy • Movements
Contradictory impulses in human nature Sources from Augustine to Einstein Exploration of spirituality and science Meditation set on a Maine island Inquiry into the nature of meaning

The result is an inspired, lyrical meditation from the acclaimed author of Einstein's Dreams that explores these seemingly contradictory impulses. Lightman draws on sources ranging from Saint Augustine's conception of absolute truth to Einstein's theory of relativity, and gives us a profound inquiry into the human desire for truth and meaning, and a journey along the different paths of religion and science that become part of that quest.

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Edition information

Book details

Publisher
Vintage
Publication date
February 19, 2019
Print length
240 pages
Language
english
ISBN
9781101871867

Politics & Social Sciences + Phenomenology + Philosophy

Reader guide

What to Know Before Reading Searching for Stars on an Island in Maine

As a physicist, Alan Lightman has always held a scientific view of the world. But one summer evening, while looking at the stars from a small boat at sea, Lightman was overcome by the overwhelming sensation that he was merging with something larger than himself.

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Readers connected to this book most often reflect Psychological Moral Explorer reader archetypes. Their strongest shared genre interests include Thriller, Science, Literary Fiction, and Historical Fiction. They are commonly drawn to themes such as Exploring The Fractured Self, Survival, technology, and gaming.

About the author

Alan P. Lightman

Alan P. Lightman

ALAN LIGHTMAN is the author of seven novels, including the international best seller Einstein’s Dreams and The Diagnosis , a finalist for the National Book Award. He has taught at Harvard and at MIT, where he was the first person to receive a dual faculty appointment in science and the humanities. He is the host of the public television series Searching: Our Quest for Meaning in the Age of Science . He is a professor of the practice of the humanities at MIT.
Author information: Wikipedia
A favorite quote

“an elegant and moving paean to our spiritual quest for meaning in an age of science ( The New York Times Book Review)”

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