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The Probability of God: A Simple Calculation That Proves the Ultimate Truth

(Paperback)


Publishing Details

Full Title:

The Probability of God: A Simple Calculation That Proves the Ultimate Truth

Contributors:
ISBN:

9781400054787

Publisher:

Random House USA Inc

Imprint:

Three Rivers Press

Publication Date:

15th November 2004

Country:

United States

Classifications

Readership:

General

Genre:
Fiction/Non-fiction:

Fiction

Dewey:

212.1

Physical Properties

Physical Format:

Paperback

Number of Pages:

272

Dimensions:

Width 130mm, Height 203mm, Spine 14mm

Weight:

292g

Description

Does God exist This is probably the most debated question in the history of mankind. Scholars, scientists, and philosophers have spent their lifetimes trying to prove or disprove the existence of God, only to have their theories crucified by other scholars, scientists, and philosophers. Where the debate breaks down is in the ambiguities and colloquialisms of language. But, by using a universal, unambiguous language-namely, mathematics-can this question finally be answered definitively That's what Dr. Stephen Unwin attempts to do in this riveting, accessible, and witty book, The Probability of God. At its core, this groundbreaking book reveals how a math equation developed more than 200 years ago by noted European philosopher Thomas Bayes can be used to calculate the probability that God exists. The equation itself is much more complicated than a simple coin toss (heads, He's up there running the show; tails, He's not). Yet Dr. Unwin writes with a clarity that makes his mathematical proof easy for even the nonmathematician to understand and a verve that makes his book a delight to read. Leading you carefully through each step in his argument, he demonstrates in the end that God does indeed exist. Whether you're a devout believer and agree with Dr. Unwin's proof or are unsure about all things divine, you will find this provocative book enlightening and engaging. "One of the most innovative works in the science and religion movement is The Probability of God...An entertaining exercise in thinking."-Michael Shermer, Scientific American "Unwin's book is peppered with wry, self-deprecating humor that makes the scientific discussions more accessible...Spiritually inspiring."--Chicago Sun Times "A pleasantly breezy account of some complicated matters well worth learning about."--Philadelphia Inquirer "One of the best things about the book is its humor."--Cleveland Plain Dealer "In a book that is surprisingly lighthearted and funny, Unwin manages to pack in a lot of facts about science and philosophy."--Salt Lake Tribune

Reviews

"Unwin's book, which is peppered with wry, self-deprecating humor that makes the scientific discussions more accessible, may prove spiritually inspiring."Chicago Sun Times

"A pleasantly breezy account of some complicated matters well worth learning about."Philadelphia Inquirer

"Stephen Unwin has pulled off the seemingly impossiblea profound and instructive discussion of God delivered in an entertaining, witty and no-nonsense style. His quirky prose conceals a wealth of information about science, religion and the grounds for rational belief. He bypasses the indulgent obscurantism so characteristic of contemporary theological writing and goes straight to the heart of the matter: Is belief in God a reasonable deduction given the evidence That Unwin can achieve this with minimal mathematics is a testimony to his incisive mind and impressive writing skills."
Paul Davies, Templeton Prize winner and author of The Mind of God and The Cosmic Blueprint

"This book is very bad news for anyone planning a career in Evil. Engaging, witty, concise and clear, Dr. Unwin's book achieves two impossible things: it makes Theology and Probability Theory accessible to humans."
Rob Grant, co-creator of the "Red Dwarf" television series and author of Backwards

"The Probability of God is witty, it's fun to read--you keep wanting to goon, chapter after chapter, and keep going to figure out this probability. Ifyou're looking for a book that's intellectually stimulating, kind of fun,and compelling-- this is it."
-WOSU

"Yes, the book has humor, a trait that math sorely needs... I especially liked the way he mixed humor and scientific rigor."
-Columbus Dispatch

"Stephen Unwin has boldly gone where no theoretical physicist has gone before."
-Dayton Daily News

"Unwin did not set out to prove one way or another the existence of God. He just wanted to figure the odds."
-Australian Herald Sun

Author Bio

Stephen D. Unwin, Ph.D., received his doctorate in theoretical physics from the University of Manchester for his research in the field of quantum gravity. Dr. Unwin has written for New Scientist, among other influential scientific journals. Formerly the technical attache to the United States Department of Energy for the British government, he is president of his own consulting firm, specializing in risk management for various Fortune 100 clients. He lives in Columbus, Ohio.

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