The Riddle of the Universe
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Summary
This volume was translated by Professor Yuan Zhiying, a translator, together with several other German-language experts and with the support of many learned scholars from Fudan University; the collective effort has made for a relatively accurate grasp of the book's vast and varied specialist knowledge and its many figures and works. The translation is lucid and accurate, reproducing the sweeping, commanding manner of the original Riddle of the Universe.
The book will lead today's readers back to an era more than a century ago when science and ignorance were locked in fierce contention, to see how advanced scientific thought, like a lighthouse, swept away darkness and gloom and guided people out of error. The fearless scientific spirit of seeking truth and fact that the book embodies will also inspire today's readers on life's journey.
Editor's review
As an editor, I believe the value of reading this book lies in its historical coordinates and intellectual tension. Readers can clearly see how, after Darwin's theory of evolution shook the world, a leading scientist tried to integrate the latest scientific discoveries (such as cell theory and the conservation of energy) to answer ultimate questions: Where do we come from? What is the soul? Does God exist? The answer Haeckel gives—a monism grounded in evolution and materialism—may seem limited by its era today, and some scientific details have since been updated, yet the spirit of rational inquiry that runs through the book, its pursuit of a unified picture of the world, and its courage to challenge religious authority remain deeply moving. Reading this book is rather like taking part in a dialogue with a great mind of a hundred years ago; it helps us understand how the modern scientific worldview broke free of its bonds step by step and took shape. For readers who wish to understand the history of scientific thought, the social impact of evolution, and the relationship between science and philosophy, this book is an invaluable primary source.
Who it's for
A good fit for
- Readers with a strong interest in the history of scientific thought and the cultural impact of evolution
- Philosophy enthusiasts who wish to understand how European intellectuals responded to the shock of the scientific revolution in the late nineteenth century
- Readers who enjoy reading classic primary texts and engaging in intellectual dialogue with historical texts
- Readers curious about cross-disciplinary issues at the intersection of biology, philosophy, and religion
Not a good fit for
- Readers seeking the latest popular knowledge of astrophysics or cosmology
- Readers expecting an easy, accessible, and modernly structured introductory philosophy book
Reading tips
- It is advisable first to learn about the major scientific discoveries of the nineteenth century (such as Darwinian evolution and cell theory) and the philosophical currents of the time, so as to better grasp the thread and targets of the book's argument.
- While reading, pay attention to how Haeckel uses a biologist's perspective and examples to argue his philosophical views, and appreciate his distinctive logic of argumentation.
- Some of the book's views are now distant from contemporary scientific understanding; maintain critical thinking and read it as an important document reflecting the scientific and philosophical thought of a particular historical stage.
About the publisher
Peking University Press is a comprehensive university press whose publishing areas cover classical literature, popular science, social culture, world history, Western philosophy, and culture. Its catalogue contains 6,031 titles, with representative books including A Dream of Red Mansions, Relativity: The Special and General Theory (15th Edition) (with Einstein's classic papers on unified field theory and other topics), Elements, Conics, The Aristocratic Families of the Eastern Jin, The Philosophy of Mythology (Volume I), The Philosophy of Mythology (Volume II), and The Origin of Continents and Oceans. Representative authors include Cao Xueqin, Zhou Ruchang, Albert Einstein, Euclid, Apollonius, Tian Yuqing, Schelling, and Xian Gang. The press has developed distinctive strengths in classical Chinese literature and in the translation of Western philosophical classics, while also covering scientific classics and social and cultural studies. As public information is limited, this description is based only on the books in the catalogue and offers no further extrapolation.
Contents
- 版权信息
- 弁言
- 导读
- 前言
- 第一部分 人类学：人
- 第一章 宇宙之谜的提出
- 第二章 我们的躯体构造
- 第三章 我们的生命
- 第四章 我们的胚胎史
- 第五章 我们的种系发生
- 第二部分 心理学：灵魂
- 第六章 灵魂的本质
- 第七章 灵魂的阶段
- 第八章 灵魂的胚胎史
- 第九章 灵魂的系统发生
- 第十章 灵魂的意识
- 第十一章 灵魂不死
- 第三部分 宇宙学：宇宙
- 第十二章 实体定律
- 第十三章 宇宙进化史
- 第十四章 自然界的统一性
- 第十五章 神和世界
- 第四部分 神学：上帝
- 第十六章 知识和信仰
- 第十七章 科学和基督教
- 第十八章 我们的一元论宗教
- 第十九章 我们的一元论伦理学
- 第二十章 宇宙之谜的解决
- 结束语
- 注释和解释
- 跋
FAQ
How is this book different from modern popular cosmology books such as Hawking's A Brief History of Time?
What is the main content of Haeckel's monist thought?
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About the author
Ernst Haeckel was a prominent nineteenth-century German biologist and naturalist, and one of the most important proponents of Darwinian evolution in the German-speaking world. Combining scientific observation with philosophical reflection, he sought to explain living phenomena and the order of the cosmos within a unified view of nature, and his works had a lasting influence on popular science. This site carries two of his books, The Riddle of the Universe and The Wonders of Life, both classified as popular science. The former surveys the universe, life, and humanity's place from a natural-philosophical perspective, while the latter addresses the origin of life and the transformation of forms. Haeckel's writing is marked by broad vision and strong personal judgment, blending scientific argument with philosophical contemplation; it appeals to general readers and has often stirred scholarly and intellectual debate. Public information on his specific biography, education, and posts is limited, so no conjecture is offered here.
