The Varieties of Scientific Experience: A Personal View of the Search for God Paperback – November 6, 2007

I'm a big fan of the late great scientist/astronomer Carl Sagan. As an amateur astronomer of over 40 years I knew of Carl and considered him a friend even though he never knew of me. I'm trying to read all his published books and have them in our family library.I've read most of them and most are 5 stars. See my reviews.The Varieties of Scientific Experience is a great book as we see Carl's views on a number of chapters on science, religion and later the Gifford lecture notes . The pictures were very nice allowing the non scientist reader to understand the beauty, complexity and the vastness of our known viewable universe.As a Roman Catholic I believe in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ as a man Carl says has been proven enough by the Bible but no proof as to a God. Don't agree, as I see plenty of proof in the Bible but I can understand Carl, as a scientist wanting verifiable proof that could be tested. My belief is based on faith that probably never will be able to be proven.Through out the book Carl shows evidence of man evolving through natural selection and it taking hundreds of millions of years for life to evolve. I can believe that as well and the extreme age of the 4.5 billion year old Earth. I too believe in the scientific method, evolution and the quest for truth using science.Carl, INMO did not believe there could be NO God but only asked for proof, the same as being visited by ETs or life on other planets or abductions by ETS.... show the proof. He kept an open mind but wanted proof. Also the book repeatedly shows Carl as an understanding man, able to listen to other people's views, showing respect without having to deliberately trample other scientists views.Carl was very big into Nuclear Arms dismantling and removing the nuclear threat to mankind. He was very worried about the possible extinction of the human race due to a nuclear arms war/exchange. Read some of his other books on this...see my reviews.Carl was much more optimistic than me in believing the possible existence of life in the universe in some very harsh environments. I too believe in other life in the universe but find it much more difficult for life to start and thrive in some very harsh environments like Carl believed in.I really liked the question and answer section on the Gifford lectures. A few of the questions are questions I would of liked to have asked Carl. So here is a record for history of a great man, scientist, husband and father. You can tell Carl never stopped asking questions of this or that in science especially the "why". INMO one of the top minds of the 20th century.Again I feel bad I never met Carl Sagan but at least we have his books to examine his teachings and ideas. Thank you Ann Druyan and your friend for saving and compiling the discussions of Carl's at the Gifford lectures. A great book describing science,religion and the search for God. 5 stars and recommended.

Science's esteemed friend Carl Sagan died prematurely in 1996. What a pleasure it is to read more of his crystal clear prose. In these transcripts of his 1985 Gifford Lectures on Natural Theology at the University of Glasgow, he gives us his rich insights on the relationship between science and religion. William James had a turn in the early 20th century and turned his lectures into the acclaimed "Varieties of Religious Experiences." "Varieties of Scientific Experiences" is edited by Sagan's widow and collaborator Ann Druyan and she acknowledges his admiration for James in the title of this book.Starting with cosmology, Sagan leads us through a naturalistic view of the universe - meaning except for the most extreme liberal interpretation of God, He is not part of the equation. But the believer who desires the bigger picture should not be scared off - this eloquent book is more considerate and gentle than the recent books on religion by Dawkins, Harris, and Dennett. As usual with Sagan, it is also a treatise on why we should view our world with a scientific, rational mind-set. Sagan's bottom line was always: "Show me the evidence." In an interview, Sagan was once pressed by a reporter for a premature conclusion. When asked, "But what's your gut feeling," Sagan replied, "I try not to think with my gut."I spent a whole day being stimulated and intrigued by this book and there is not a dull page. An 11th century Hindu logician presented the following proofs for the Hindu "all-knowing and imperishable but not necessarily omnipotent and compassionate God":1. First cause - sounds familiar2. Argument from atomic combinations - bonding of atoms requires a conscious agent3. Argument from suspension of the world - somebody has to be holding it up4. Argument from the existence of human skills5. Existence of authoritative knowledge - Vedas, the Hindu holy booksSagan compares them to the Western arguments:1. First cause - otherwise known as the cosmological argument.2. Argument from design3. Moral argument - attributed to Kant4. Ontological argument - Man is imperfect, there must be something greater that is perfect, therefore God exists5. Argument from consciousness - I have self-awareness, therefore God exists6. Argument from religious experiencesSagan briefly discusses each item on these somewhat similar lists, ending with, "I must say that the net result is not very impressive. It is very much as if we are seeking a rational justification for something that we otherwise hope will be true." About the moral argument, he says, "It does not follow if we are powerfully motivated to take care of our young or the young of everybody on the planet, that God made us do it. Natural selection can make us do it, and almost surely has."After each of the nine lectures, Sagan took selected written questions from the audience - most of them from believers and one of them signed by God Almighty himself. He answered them all with wit, grace, and poise and this 37 page segment is not to be missed - the whole book is not to be missed and gets my highest recommendation. Whether or not you've previously read Carl Sagan, you're in for a treat.